Method of developing a golf grip and swing and fitting equipment to a golf swing and ball travel

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is forming a secure golf club gripping style or structure using only the limbs of one&#39;s body. A limb-only base golf swing is thereafter produced using the formed grip, thus eliminating the use of any ill-fitting or inconsistent golf clubs, external influences upon said base golf swing that can cause change and/or inconsistency in said base swing. Further disclosed is using said limb-only base golf swing as the most accurate and consistent reference base golf swing possible toward the further improvement of one&#39;s base swing and/or the fitting of golf equipment to one&#39;s base golf swing existing at the time of the equipment fitting. Disclosed is producing at least one golf club or other piece of equipment to any equipment specification value determined during the fitting process. The present invention may be applied to other activities besides golf, both athletic and non-athletic in nature.

This application is a continuation-in-part of prior application Ser. No.12/217,569, filed Jul. 7, 2008, which claims the benefit of provisionalApplication No. 60/948,484, filed Jul. 9, 2007.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to the field of a golf swing andrelated golf equipment. More specifically, the present invention relatesto developing a limb-only golf grip and golf swing that is absent anyexternal, swing-altering elements such as golf clubs and/or fitting golfequipment to a golf swing using a limb-only golf swing, absent saidequipment, as a reference swing to emulate when said equipment is inhand. The term “limb-only” in the present invention refers not just tothe forming of a golf grip with only one's hands and subsequentlyswinging as such, but also refers to the removal or elimination of anyother potential devices in contact with or otherwise meant to influencea golfer and meant to perhaps help guide or form the golfer's swing,usually applied in accordance with someone else's idea of what a goodgolf swing should be like. While not reasonable in practice, justmomentarily thinking of limb-only swinging in terms of its most extremeapplication of removing even one's garments and then working backwardfrom there just enough to achieve a reasonable state and no more mayhelp one best understand how the term is to be applied within thedisclosure of the present invention.

There is a constant search in the golf industry to find new ways to helpincrease the performance of golfers through better swinging and relatedgolf equipment design and fitting. The game of golf and in particular agolf swing have reputations as activities that are much more difficultto learn than most other activities that humans commonly engage in. Thisis despite the fact that golf swings are made at objects (in this casegolf balls) that are not in motion when swinging at them as opposed tomany other activities. Common sense says that such other activitieswould fundamentally be more difficult to master, thus the broadstatement that golf is more difficult does not fundamentally seem tomake sense.

One major reason for the existence of these unwarranted reputations isgolf's rather unique format of routinely changing to using differentpieces of equipment from one golf swing to another. Even the bestdesigned and constructed golf clubs as one example are not perfect, withone golf club perhaps having a slightly different grip size than thenext, the next golf club having a slightly different golf club balancethan the one used after that, and so on. Such differences are oftenenough for even average golfers to notice. This can result in golf swingchanges from club to club. Such swing inconsistencies are often viewedas golfers having faults in their developed golf swings when this isjust not the case. The present invention overcomes this situation bydistinctly separating the pure golf swings made by golfers from externalelements that can affect those pure swings. Thus, golf swings canhenceforth be analyzed, understood, and developed better than everbefore.

Another major reason for these unwarranted reputations is theunfortunate poor development of proper golf club fitting techniquewithin the golf industry through the years. Incorrect clubfitting theoryin several areas has resulted in some very poor golf club fittingpractices that often culminate in golfers playing worse after they havebeen fitted for golf clubs. The present invention's method also advancesthe science and art of golf club fitting. This is accomplished byimplementing a process of equipment fitting that is based on thedisclosed foundational, limb-only method of swinging. Unless morespecifically detailed, the term “golf club device” in the presentdisclosure shall broadly refer yet not absolutely be limited to any golfclub or golf club part(s) thereof, any type of substitute for a golfclub or golf club part(s) thereof including but not limited to acomputer simulation(s), or any type of device involved in making,fitting, or altering a golf club, golf club substitute, or golf clubspecification.

The present invention is not expressly limited in its usage to the gameof golf. Many other sporting (and non-sporting) activities, even thosethat may use only a single piece of equipment in the course ofperforming the activity, may benefit greatly from the present invention.By initially separating equipment used and any other external elementsas appropriate deemed influential toward the structural action performedin the course of the activity, which can promote change and/orinconsistency in the structural action, the root, limb-only action(s)can be better understood and developed. Then adding additional elementssuch as equipment into the activity, whereby best reproducing thedeveloped, limb-only action may be the first priority with any otherfactors secondary, can also help to promote a better understanding anddeveloping of fitting equipment for the activity. Thus, the presentinvention's method may be used to help improve performance in any numberof activities.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention's method begins with forming a secure golf gripusing only the limbs of a body to work with, such as by structuring anoverlapping or interlocking golf club gripping style. Subsequently, alimb-only golf swing is developed using the formed grip. One of the mainobjects of such method is to eliminate external influences upon saidgolf swing. One unique feature of golf is the usual use of manydifferent golf clubs during successive golf swings made. With a virtualimpossibility of even one perfect golf club let alone an attemptedmatched set of multiple perfect clubs due largely to variances in golfclub components and construction, various, even minor incongruitiesamong clubs can cause changes and/or inconsistencies from one golf swingto the next. Golf swings are very often considered faulty as a result ofthis when in fact they are not.

The melding together of the hands in an overlapping or interlockingfashion as examples in the act of forming a golf grip has existed andbeen traditionally practiced in golf for more than a century already,but the practice has not as yet been taken advantage of and implementedfor the specific and unique purpose disclosed by the present invention.This is because the true reasoning for forming such gripping structureshas been radically missing. Only the very general, commonly usedstatement that the hands “work together as a single unit” better byapplying such gripping structures has been given, with no otherreasoning as to why this may be judicious. The present invention soundlyaddresses and corrects this particular issue.

The present invention further introduces an original method of fittinggolf equipment (not limited to golf clubs) to a limb-only golf swing atany stage of development. One step comprises fitting golf club partsand/or specifications such that golf swings produced with a club(s) inhand reproduce limb-only swings as precisely as possible. Another stepas desired comprises further fine-tuning golf club parts and/orspecifications to clubfitting facets not directly related to baselimb-only golf swing performance such as a desired ball travel result,wherein the swing performance achieved in the prior clubfitting step ismaintained as the prime priority in order to accomplish the best overallclubfit possible. Thus, the present invention also advances the scienceand art of equipment fitting, which in the past most often comprisedcombining at least two fitting facets into a single step that should beseparated systematically, often leading to confusion and producingless-than-successful results when trying to improve golfing performancethrough equipment fitting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments,but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in whichlike references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a ten-finger or baseball style golfgrip and its features, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the beginning of the formation of an overlap orVardon golf gripping style, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a partially completed overlapping grip viewed fromthe left somewhat, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a completed overlapping or Vardon golf grip and itsunique features, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates the beginning of the formation of an interlockinggolf gripping style, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 6 through 11 illustrate a front view of a limb-only sequence of agolf swing using an overlapping grip and thus without the need for aclub or any other device(s), in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 12 through 17 illustrate a side view of a limb-only sequence of agolf swing using an overlapping grip and thus without the need for aclub or any other device(s), in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 18 through 23 illustrate a front view of a sequence of a golfswing using an overlapping gripping style and also using a golf club, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 illustrates the use of a launch monitor to determine ball travelcharacteristics after being struck to aid in the fitting of golfequipment based on ball travel, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 25 illustrates a flow chart of the steps of the method of thepresent invention, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to,various stages of forming a golf grip using only one's limbs and withoutusing any golf clubs or other devices, the learning of a golf swingusing only one's limbs and without using any golf clubs or other devicesthat can negatively influence the performance and/or consistency of agolf swing, and the fitting of equipment used in golf, most notably golfclubs, based upon the learned golf swing.

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described usingterms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey thesubstance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention maybe practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes ofexplanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations may be setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrativeembodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatthe present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Inother instances, well-known features might be omitted or simplified inorder not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, inturn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the presentinvention, however, the order of description should not be construed asto imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. Inparticular, these operations need not be performed in the order ofpresentation. The phrases “one embodiment” and “the embodiment” are usedoften. The phrases generally do not refer to the same embodiment,however, they may. The terms “comprising,” “having,” and “including” aresynonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of hand positions taken when forming a golfgrip, which can be accomplished using only one's own limbs and withoutthe use of an actual golf club or any other device. Such a process oflearning how to form a golf grip is a preferable first step in learninghow to effectively perform the motion of a golf swing. The process canalso be applied to more effectively fit golf equipment. As many asfourteen golf clubs are now allowed under the rules of golf when playingthe game. No matter how far technology advances, there can always be atleast small imperfections, tolerances, and other differences in theconstruction of one golf club to the next. Such differences are oftenenough to affect one's golf swing when changing from one golf club toanother. A lack of acceptable golf swing ability is often blamed forsuch differences in swing consistency when in fact there is nothingwrong at all with the underlying golf swing.

The use of multiple and variable pieces of equipment for the sameactivity is one of golf's unique features. This unique feature is onevery important reason why a reference or base golf swing should belearned in the absence of any golf clubs or other external devices orinfluences that can be inconsistent in nature or otherwise contribute toinconsistent or otherwise poor development of a golf grip and/or golfswing structure. Achieving this goal results in the most consistent,repeatable, and reliable swing motion possible without any externalinfluences being present to affect the base swing. Very precisecomparisons may then be made between the base swing and swingingperformed with various golf clubs, golf club specifications, or otherdevices. While there are devices made to substitute for golf clubs withthe intent of helping one learn to hold onto and/or make a better golfswing, none of these other devices are necessary when the presentinvention's method is applied and all other such devices may beeliminated. Such other devices may also attempt to develop golfers' golfgrips and/or golf swings based on someone else's idea of what a goodgolf grip and/or swing should be like, whereas the present inventiongives golfers the best opportunity to develop their own most effectivegrips/swings based upon their physical and psychological attributes.

In addition to swing performance inconsistency that can be caused byswitching between abundant, imperfect golf clubs, the golf industryunfortunately has to this point had a history of developing andimplementing multiple incorrect golf swing and clubfitting theories andpractices. This often results in golfers swinging and playing worseafter they take golf club swinging lessons and/or have been fitted forgolf clubs than before they engaged in those activities. It can often beseen that a golfer that appears to have a less efficient golf swing witha golf club in hand actually has a very efficient golf swing when thegolf club is taken out of the golfer's hand and he or she is observedswinging using the present invention's method. Such inefficient swingingwith a golf club in hand is the result of ineffective golf swingteaching and/or clubfitting procedure that is quite common throughoutthe golf industry. This inefficiency might be traced to several factors,including but not limited to the long-used golf club specification ofswingweighting, which to this day is not understood well and does notwork precisely for a considerable number of golfers. The presentinvention's method helps to overcome these stated problems.

In FIG. 1, shown is a common gripping style of a right-handed golfer whoperhaps may not be as experienced at playing golf as some others, withthe right hand 20 placed completely beyond the left hand 22. The littlefinger 24 of the right hand is butted up against the index finger 26 ofthe left hand, with no overlapping or intertwining of those hand parts.The left thumb 28 may or may not protrude typically just slightly intothe palm of the right hand 20, perhaps being wrapped around by thelittle finger 24 of the right hand.

The gripping style of FIG. 1 is often referred to as a ten-fingered orbaseball style grip and is often the first, most natural way thatbeginning players will grip a golf club for a period of time. There are,however, some very talented and experienced golfers that also preferusing this style of gripping a golf club. This gripping style is veryclosely related to the hand-next-to-hand configurations that areroutinely and naturally utilized in most other sporting activities suchas swinging a baseball bat or tennis racket. Such a gripping style isalso routine in many common, everyday, non-sporting activities as well.These activities can include but not be limited to those using deviceshaving handles, such as tools for construction and gardening andkitchenware for cooking. While the ten-finger grip is still used by someand may be used in connection with gripping a golf club, there can bedisadvantages of using such a gripping structure in golf in light of thegolfing aspects described above. Note in FIG. 1 how, without a commonand presumed straight object running through both hands, the axis linesas determined independently through each hand, 30 for the right hand 20and 32 for the left hand 22, can easily run at different angles withrespect to each other when implementing this gripping style.

Because these angles may not be as consistent as when an actual golfclub is used and a golf shaft with a straighter axis (as defined by therules of golf) runs through the two hands 20 and 22, a resultant golfswing made with the hands at different angles can result in a noticeablydifferent golf swing motion being made than when using an actual golfclub. As a result, a golf swing made in a limb-only fashion whenimplementing such a golf grip structure is commonly inaccurate and adifferent performance of a golf swing compared with a swing made wherethe angles of the axes through the hands are more consistent and equal.This discrepancy of the hands commonly running at different angles whenusing a ten-fingered or baseball style gripping structure renders such astructure considerably less effective toward both efficient golf swingdevelopment and golf club fitting with respect to the presentinvention's method. In addition to this difference in hand positionangles before a golf swing is even begun, using a baseball style gripwhen swinging without any golf club or golf-club-like device in handresults in the hands being much more prone to additional independentchanges in angles, positions, and/or movements during actual swinging.This allows yet greater potential for various inconsistencies and/orerrors relative to swinging with actual golf clubs.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 shows the beginnings of the most common golfgripping style that has developed through the history of golf thus far.It is usually known as the overlapping grip, sometimes referred to asthe Vardon grip, named after past golfer Harry Vardon, who was veryinstrumental in popularizing this particular gripping style. The commonoverlapping grip in golf can be very awkward to develop in the beginningfor players wanting to learn how to play golf or play golf better. Thereasoning behind developing this gripping style as being advantageoustoward playing the game of golf well, as generally given by the golfindustry, is that this gripping style allows the hands to work bettertogether as a single unit. While this statement is indeed true, it isalso a statement that is very much misinterpreted by most and notexplained very well within the golf industry. This has resulted inmisconceptions regarding why golfers should work toward developing sucha gripping style in order to improve their ability at playing golf.

At first glance, it may seem unnecessary and even detrimental to developsuch a seemingly unnatural golf gripping style. For one thing, learninghow to hit an object that is motionless while swinging at it isinherently easier to accomplish than if the object were in motion whiletrying to hit it. As such, and putting aside other factors like thecomparatively small size of a golf ball that contributes to the game'soverall challenge, learning how to swing at and hit a golf ball iseasier than, as one example, learning how to swing at and hit a pitchedbaseball, which can be moving at different speeds and differentdirections while trying to hit it. Additionally, more swing speed may bedeveloped when the hands are abutting each other on an implement beingswung (like a baseball bat) as opposed to the hands being partiallyoverlapped or similar relative to each other. (However, an abutting gripstyle may require a higher level of coordination and may be a moredifficult skill to develop in order to obtain that higher swing speed).Once gotten used to, coordination about the hands may not be asdemanding when an overlapping or similar gripping style is implemented,resulting in swing performance that is not as difficult.

In combining these principles addressed in the preceding paragraph, asituation comes to light that would seem to impede the achieving of thebest golfing performance for a golfer. If a golf swing is already aneasier activity to learn than so many other activities that humans haveproven they can excel and accomplish so much at, and if golfers arealways on the lookout for, among other things, the ability to hit a golfball farther, something that an easier ten-fingered or baseball gripmight help achieve within one's golf game, then why would a particulargripping structure that can be initially difficult to get used to berecommended to help make a golf swing even easier than it already iswhile potentially sacrificing other possible advantages like obtainingmore distance? The answer is in knowing the highly specific reason(s)for developing such a distinct gripping style. The golf industry hasseemingly forever basically asserted that golf swing difficulty is thereason, but foundationally this assertion has no merit and has led tomuch misinformation being presented over time about a golf swing andgolf club fitting as two examples. The present invention soundlycorrects and advances certain of this information.

It is again established here that one very unique feature of golf isthat of regularly swinging multiple, various, imperfect golf clubs onsuccessive swings, variant golf clubs that can affect swingingperformance and the consistency of swinging performance. Thus, it ishighly advantageous to learn to effectively perform a golf swing withoutthe use of any golf clubs or golf-club-like devices. Eliminating as manyexternal, swing-influencing elements as possible, such as the multipleand various inconsistencies encountered when swinging while switchingbetween many different imperfect golf clubs, is the best and mostaccurate way of determining crucial golf swing performancecharacteristics.

In other activities, even if any equipment used is imperfect, aperformer usually at least has the luxury of performing with theidentical piece of equipment over and over again, getting more used toit as more repetitions are made and giving the performer a better chanceto make any wanted/needed adjustments. The game of golf generallyaffords no such luxury, with a switch between a first club and secondclub perhaps resulting in a slightly different grip size, between thesecond and a third club maybe resulting in a slightly different golfclub balance, and so on, with usually only one swing made with eachbefore a different club must be used in the normal course of playing thegame. It is a very common occurrence for a golfer and/or swinginstructor to conclude that satisfactory progress has been made withrespect to the golfer's swing improvement during instruction whileworking with just one particular golf club, only to subsequently findout when actually playing the game in a normal manner that little to noswing improvement has in fact taken place. Many golfers indeed swingworse after such instruction, with the present invention plainlyexplaining why this commonly occurs.

These are the real, detailed reasons for the development and existenceof a golf club gripping structure such as the overlapping grip. Yetwhile this most popular gripping style has been around for about acentury in golf already, the true reasoning for its existence has notbeen properly understood to this point. The correct foundation for theapplication of such a gripping structure for holding on to a golf clubcomprises a sequence of first learning how to structurally grip a golfclub in the absence of any golf clubs or other grip-influencingelements, subsequently analyzing and/or learning the golf swing ofchoice in the absence of any golf clubs (so as to eliminate theirinconsistent effects on base golf swing development) or other elementsor devices that can undesirably affect base golf swing development orthe consistency of base swing development, and furthermore utilizing theformed limb-only swing as a base golf swing to emulate in the course ofmost effectively fitting golf equipment to help obtain the bestcomprehensive golfing performance.

It is this specific situation of implementing a gripping structure andmaking a golf swing in a limb-only manner where the commonly-knowngolfing expression of wanting the hands to work together as a singleunit within a golf swing becomes extremely relevant and meaningfullydefined with respect to golf swing performance. The expression reallyhas no relevant meaning if dealing with forming a golf grip and swinginga golf club when an actual golf club is always present and in hand. Thepresent invention utilizes this information effectively to implement anadvanced use of such gripping technique to learn how to swing a golfclub and fit equipment related to golf more efficiently. When utilizinga golf club or other golf club device, a common axis through both handsis typically provided around which the hands of a golfer are placed.There is no need for the hands to work better together as a single unitunder such a circumstance.

Since many, much more difficult human actions are performed exquisitelyusing gripping styles on equipment where the hands simply abut eachother, the expression that the hands should “work together as a singleunit” is an irrelevant and unnecessary concern with respect to golfswing performance when actual golf clubs or golf club devices are used.With no golf clubs or external devices however, a condition under whichit is extremely critical to learn to perform a golf swing effectivelybecause of the game's unique equipment usage feature as alreadydetailed, the need for the hands to “work together as a single unit”becomes a structural element that can truly be better appreciated andunderstood toward learning or teaching a limb-only base golf swing andalso fitting related equipment most effectively.

In FIG. 2, a typical overlapping grip begins with the positioning of thelittle finger 24 of the right hand 20 essentially underneath the indexfinger 26 of the left hand 22 (for a right-handed golfer again).

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a partially completed overlapping grip asviewed somewhat from the left side, the right-hand 20 little finger 24overlaps the left-hand 22 index finger 26. As a result of thisprocedure, notice how the thumb 28 of the left hand tends to move muchfurther down into the right hand 20, commonly extending to a point wherethe middle two fingers of the right hand 20 can securely hold onto thethumb 28 of the left hand, whereas in FIG. 1 the left thumb 28 may bebarely or not at all protruding into the right hand 20 due to theten-fingered or baseball gripping style.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a completed overlapping golf grip, whichis securely formed without the need for any golf clubs or golf clubdevices. By using such a method of forming a golf grip, the hands canfunction in a manner without using any golf clubs or golf-club-likedevices equivalent to that of when actual golf clubs are used. This isthe time and place, without any external device being held on to, inwhich the long-existing expression in golf of the hands needing to “worktogether as a single unit” can begin to be justly applied in a relevantcontext (and continuing through the entire limb-only swinging process)with respect to a golf swing and the related fitting of golf equipment.Again take particular note of how much further into the right hand 20the left thumb 28 extends with this structure of gripping a golf club,providing a secure means (the left thumb 28) for at least the middle twofingers 34 of the right hand 20 to hold onto in the course of any golfswing made. Furthermore, such a gripping structure helps assure thatboth hands 20 and 22 stay on the same axis 36 throughout any swingmotion made, the same condition that would occur if a golf club or golfclub device were used while making a golf swing.

In order to functionally mimic the existence of an actual golf club,some features of taking a no-club golf grip may commonly and naturallybe different from that of gripping an actual golf club. Thesedifferences may include, but are not limited to, curling up the lefthand fingers into the palm of the left hand 22 to emulate the grip endof a golf club when none is present, of which said fingers wouldnormally be positioned around a golf grip if one were present. This maybe seen best in FIGS. 1 and 4. Also, the left thumb 28 extending wellinto the right hand 20 (best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4) acts as part of agolf grip and/or shaft for the right-hand 20 middle fingers (34 in FIG.4) to securely hold on to during a swing when a golf club or golf clubdevice is not present. Were a golf club actually present, the right-handmiddle fingers would usually generally be placed about the back part ofa golf grip rather than the left-hand thumb 28, with the left-hand thumb28 usually generally placed about the front part of a golf grip ratherthan more within the right-hand 20 middle fingers 34.

In referencing FIG. 3 again, with no golf club or golf club devicepresent the left-hand 22 index finger 26 may be protruded slightly moretoward the ground than the other fingers of the left hand 22 when thehands 20 and 22 are in a typical gripping position than when a typicalgripping position is being taken on a typical golf grip. The right-handlittle finger 24 might then be moved beyond the protruding index finger26 in order to further aid in securing the two hands 20 and 22 togetherwhen a limb-only gripping and swinging process is implemented. Makingsuch modifications usually become rather natural and intuitive whenworking toward forming a secure golf grip when no golf clubs or golfclub devices are present. However, golf clubs that are designed and fitwell, including but not limited to suitably designed and fit golf shaftsand grips, will allow golfers to reproduce their same hand positionsrelative to each other and to the remainder of the golfers' bodies whensuch golf clubs are used as that produced when efficient grippingstructures are implemented without any golf clubs or golf club devices.A base golf swing, free of any potential external influences, can thusbe developed and is essentially defined as a golf swing made using onlythe limbs of the body after a base, limb-only golf grip is formed as thefoundation of said base golf swing. This base swing at whatever stage ofdevelopment can then be used as the best reference swing possible forany given golfer at any given time to help most efficiently improve theplaying and/or teaching of various facets of the game of golf. The baseswing might be referenced against particulars not limited to swings madewith golf clubs having various club specifications and specificationvalues for clubfitting purposes, used as a reference for determiningswing teaching and/or clubfitting techniques, and/or used as a referenceto potentially compare against other limb-only base golf swing stylesfor swing improvement purposes.

FIG. 5 shows the beginnings of another type of popular golf grippingstructure that accomplishes much the same thing as the overlapping grip.This style is known as an interlocking grip. In this style, theright-hand 20 little finger 24 is placed in between the left-hand 22index finger 26 and its adjacent finger 38 and generally extendsunderneath the left hand 22. Also, the left-hand 22 index finger 26 isplaced in between the right-hand 20 little finger 24 and its adjacentfinger 40 and generally extends under the right hand 20.

The ability to form a structurally secure grip and make a base golfswing using only the body's limbs applies to every type of swingingmotion, and it is equally crucial for developing a stroke and fittingequipment when putting in golf. Due to factors that may include puttingstrokes generally being shorter than other golf strokes, the shorterlength of grass from which putting strokes are usually made, anddifferences in body posture during the set-up and stroking of putts thatmay be influenced by the first two factors mentioned, grippingstructures for putting can often be somewhat different from that ofother golf swings. One very common putting gripping structure (althoughnot limited to putting by any means) is called the reverse-overlap grip.In referencing FIG. 3, the reverse-overlap grip is essentially the sameas the overlap grip shown, except that the left-hand 22 index finger 26overlaps the right-hand 20 little finger 24 instead. Another grippingstyle that has become popular more recently has been the cross-handedgrip, in which the right hand 20 and left hand 22 actually trade places(still for a right-handed golfer). There may or may not be anyoverlapping of limbs when using a cross-handed gripping structure, butdoing so can aid in unifying the hands during limb-only gripping andstroking in the same manner as that described for other golf clubgripping structures.

Other gripping structures may be developed and used as desired for thepurpose of being able to effectively make and/or develop a consistentlyrepeatable base golf swing without the need of any golf clubs or golfclub devices as external elements. Such external elements can regularlyintroduce unwanted inconsistencies into a golf swing that mayincorrectly be deemed golf swing flaws. The more swings that are able tobe performed by way of eliminating as many external influential elementsas possible, the better the golf swing development will be accuratelyidentified and the more accurate comparisons will be between the basereference swing and any other swings performed with any other externalelements introduced. Better decisions can thus be made regarding workingtoward improving a golf swing, the fitting of equipment, and overallperforming ability.

Most people in golf would agree that the structure or style in which agolfer grips a golf club is one of the most prominent factors affectingthe way the golfer's swing develops and is performed. The inventor is incomplete agreement with this belief and has now disclosed, using thepresent invention, the most effective method of gripping a golf clubthat results in any golf swing being as free as possible from the mostcommon inconsistent external influences upon said swing. This isprominently but not expressly limited to the structural elimination ofgolf clubs in the course of specified processes to aid in bestdeveloping an efficient base golf swing and best fit golf clubs to thatbase golf swing. Commonly occurring inconsistencies and/or errors in theconstruction and/or fit of multiple golf clubs regularly switchedbetween or even a single golf club when and if used can producedeceptive results regarding the true quality and/or consistency of agolf swing. In eliminating such potentially deceptive elements in aspecified manner, a base golf swing may now be performed and furtherdeveloped much more efficiently than has ever been possible before. Inaddition to the elimination of golf clubs that are essentially alwaysill fitting and/or inconsistent to some degree, learning how toefficiently form a golf grip structure in a limb-only manner is theabsolute pinnacle of learning how a golf grip should be structured witha golf club in hand. The overall hand positioning structure and thestructuring of the hands relative to each other within a limb-only gripstructure is fundamentally exactly the way the hands should bestructured with a golf club in hand. The limb-only gripping process isthe very best way to learn what the grip structure should ideally belike and how it should ideally be formed when an actual golf club isadded. In addition to the limb-only gripping structure indicating theproper basic gripping structure for when a golf club is added, it isalso the most consistent gripping structure to work with, as variousgolf club grip sizes and other golf club elements can affect and alterone's hand gripping structure on various golf clubs in a rather naturalmanner, thus also affecting subsequent golf swing performance.Therefore, the consistency of the limb-only gripping process alsopromotes consistency in subsequent golf swing performance, an extremelyimportant factor as one's golf swing develops and is thereaftermaintained, regardless of whether a golf swing is developed naturally orwhether it is developed using a determined specimen of another limb-onlybase golf grip and/or swing structure, both within the scope of usingthe present invention's limb-only base golf gripping and swingingstructure.

FIGS. 6 through 11 show a front view sequence of a golfer 42 with alimb-only overlapping golf grip formed with his hands 44, thus producinga secure golf grip that accurately mimics the presence of and holdingonto an actual golf club even though none is present throughout any golfswing without the use of any external golf clubs or golf-club-likedevices that can regularly promote swing-influencing inconsistencies andother unwanted effects on a golfer's true base golf swing. FIG. 6 showsa start or an address position. An “address” is a portion of thepre-swing initiated when taking a stance over a golf ball or position ofa golf ball and ended with the start of a swing. A “pre-swing” isdiscussed in far greater detail later in this disclosure. Although therules of golf generally define a golf stroke (swing) as only the forwardmovement of a swing (with a conscious intent to strike a golf ball), agolf “swing” herein is more broadly considered to be any movement begunwith a conscious intent to hit a golf ball or simulated golf ball,including any part of a backswing. Furthermore, for the purpose of thepresent invention, later in this disclosure the term is further expandedto include the pre-swing period. FIG. 7 shows a golf swing approximatelyhalf way back toward a completed backswing, while FIG. 8 displays atypical completed backswing of a golfer. FIG. 9 demonstrates a commonforward swing position of a golfer about halfway through the forwardswing. FIG. 10 shows a typical impact position about when a golfer wouldtypically make contact with a golf ball, and FIG. 11 displays anapproximate follow-through finish of a golf swing.

The embodiment of FIGS. 12 through 17 display the same golfer 42, thesame secure limb-only overlapping gripping structure 44, and the samegolf pre-swing and swing positions described in and corresponding toFIGS. 6 through 11, but from a side view.

Different golf swing styles or structures that are taught by differentindividual teachers or organizations sometimes seem to be as numerous asthere are golfers. The present invention does not distinguish betweensuch swinging styles, as any golf swing style imaginable may betaught/learned most efficiently using the present invention. In fact,some elements of golf clubs or golf club devices as examples can indeedhamper the learning of any swinging style when these elements areincorporated in an attempt to help improve golfer swinging. As oneexample, a poorly fitted golf club with a recommended grip size that istoo large for a golfer might result in the golfer unfavorably slicing(curving) a golf ball to the right (for a right-handed golfer),potentially resulting in his or her golf swing motion being deemedfaulty by a golf swing teacher due to the occurrence. This may lead toan unnecessary and/or incorrect golf swing alteration recommendation(s),including a potential alteration of the golfer's gripping structure thatcan aid in governing the golfer's entire swing. The reverse is also verycommon, where again a golfer's swing might be deemed faulty due to theswinging of a poorly fitted golf club in one or more ways, and a golfclub change may be recommended based upon that perceived faulty golfswing, whereas a different golf club change might be recommended if thegolfer's base golf swing were not deemed faulty. Getting into thisseeming never-ending circle between one's golf swing and golf clubs canlead to some disastrous golf swing and/or golf club fittingrecommendations. But upon removing the external and ill-fitting golfclub noted above from the golfer's hands as per the present invention'smethod and analyzing the golfer's swing independently from that golfclub (or any golf club or golf club device), it may be found that thegolfer makes a beautifully formed golf swing in accordance with whateverswinging style is being taught. By considering golf swing performancecompletely independently from any external elements (golf club fittingin this instance), the present invention is not subject to the errorsdescribed above.

The present invention allows the teaching and/or learning of any elementof any preferred golf swing using only a body's limbs, eliminating otherelements including golf clubs that can and do influence swinging and/orthe consistency of swinging. Without using the present invention, a golfswing routinely gets blamed for being faulty or inefficient when in factthere are no fundamental problems with the swing. One swing-affectingelement that is defined here as a “swing performance element” and thatcan be worked on using the present invention includes the golf grippingstructure or style itself as mentioned above, which may comprise achoice of using a gripping style already discussed such as anoverlapping, interlocking, or baseball grip. Additionally, it might bepreferred to turn the hands to a weaker position (represented by thehands 20 and 22 as seen in FIG. 4 rotated more to the left about thegrip axis 36) or a stronger position (hands 20 and 22 rotated to theright). The presence of an actual golf club, golf club grip, or golfclub device as examples is not required in order to effectively work onthese grip structure elements in trying to ultimately create anefficient golf swing, and these example external devices can even bedisadvantageous toward this goal.

Other swing performance elements that may be worked on even within alimb-only gripping and swinging structure include swing plane, variousfoot placement and footwork elements during the swing, address posture,pre-swing movement and/or positioning, swinging balance, tempo, andtiming or overall swing coordination, angle of descent during theforward swing, hand release location during the forward swing and otherrelease factors, backswing elements, swing speed and direction (with nogolf club needed), and/or anything else that can be worked on when alsoadding in golf clubs, golf club devices, and/or any other externalelements. In fact, some golf swing positions may not be able to beprecisely held for any length of time when using a real golf club (dueto various golf club characteristics), but they might be held longer andbetter when using no club and just one's own limbs. Thus, it could bestated that even more golf swing elements might be better analyzed andworked on when using the present invention, yet another advantage of thepresent invention. Holding a swing position at the top of the backswingin FIG. 8 where no golf club is in hand for the purpose of analyzingand/or working on that swing position might be done longer and/or moreprecisely and may be more advantageous than holding the same swingposition in FIG. 20 where a golf club is in hand as one example.

The analyzing, learning, and/or teaching of any style of golf swing canbe achieved using the present invention better than has ever beenpossible before. Initially eliminating as many external influences on agolf swing as possible, such as golf clubs or golf club devices, can beapplied to great advantage. While additional means is not mandatory inorder to analyze, teach, and/or learn any style of golf swing using thepresent invention, supplemental aid may be helpful, devised, and used asdesired, including but not limited to using computer-implemented and/orvideo resources. Specific limb-only or clubless golf swing positions maybe compared against a specimen of another golfer's limb-only or clublessswing positions for example. As another example, when people analyze agolf swing it is very important for many of them to know the exactpositioning of a golf club head at any point during the swing. To thatend, a golf club device that might be a computer-generated golf clubdeveloped through hardware and/or software means might be added to acomputer and/or video image as possible examples of what is initially alimb-only or clubless golf swing performance specimen by a golfer. Bydeveloping and utilizing such a golf club device, the detailedpositioning of any part of a golf club might still be analyzed duringgolfer swinging, yet the present invention's distinct advantage oforiginally eliminating unwanted external influences on the golfer'sswing (golf clubs in this instance) in order to obtain the best analysisof the golfer's true base golf swing can still be implemented. Inaccordance with any desired structure or style of base golf grip and/orswing development and in accordance with the present invention, one'sgolf grip and/or swing structure or style may be worked on in alimb-only manner, yet the results of the work might be analyzed with acomputer-generated golf club device added to one or more specimens ofthe golfer's actual limb-only performance if desired if deemedbeneficial to the learning or teaching process.

In using the limb-only process of learning or teaching a base golf gripand/or swing structure or style more efficiently than has ever beenpossible before, with or without utilizing a supplemental golf clubdevice of which one embodiment has just been described, it might bedecided to fundamentally allow a golfer's swing to further develop onits own based on the golfer's physical and/or psychological attributes.The golfer can be monitored over time for changes to or furtherdevelopments of even just the limb-only structure or style and changesimplemented as desired, with the overall limb-only base golf grip and/orswing learning or teaching process of the present invention still beingimmensely more efficient than if the same process were attempted withthe use real golf clubs that are essentially always ill-fitting and/orinconsistent to some degree and which essentially always negativelyaffects to some degree the base golf grip and/or swing learning orteaching process. The specific term “golf grip substitute” is introducedand defined here as any device placed within or about one's hands inlieu of forming a completely limb-only base golf gripping structure thatdoes not substantially alter a limb-only base golf gripping and/orswinging structure or performance. The using of a golf grip substitutedevice is considered synonymous with using a limb-only base golfgripping structure or comparable terminology for the purpose ofimplementing the present invention unless specifically indicatedotherwise.

If decided that it is insufficient to allow any given golfer's golf gripand/or swing structure or style to individually develop using thepresent invention's limb-only base process supplemented by the golfer'sown physical and psychological characteristics, then it may be decidedto manipulate the golfer's limb-only base golf grip and/or swing inaccordance with determined existing golf grip and/or swing fundamentals.Certain such fundamentals are often considered traditional in natureand/or already well known within the golf industry. Such fundamentalsare commonly documented in a wide variety of formats which can beconsidered specimens to work from or emulate. It is to be distinctlynoted here, however, that certain elements between learning or teachinga golf grip and/or swing structure or style in a base limb-only mannerand a golf-club-using manner can be fundamentally quite different. As aresult, and given the newness of the limb-only base golf grip andswinging structures, there is no developed history of fundamentals yetfor best developing certain limb-only base golf grip and/or swingstructures or styles and fundamentals traditionally applied toward bestdeveloping certain golf-club-using golf grip and/or swing structures orstyles may be invalid for use with the limb-only base process of thepresent invention.

As related earlier, the present invention may be applied to uncountedactivities in addition to golf, both sporting and non-sportingactivities. By initially eliminating as much equipment and as many otherelements as possible deemed influential to the true base performance ofany activity, the foundational performance of the activity can first beanalyzed/developed in the most efficient manner possible before anyadditional external influential elements are introduced that make ananalysis of the performance of the activity more complex.

Other options also exist for implementing and further developing agolfer's limb-only base gripping and/or swinging structures. Aparticular specimen to emulate may be sought out for reference towardapplying the structure(s) as desired. This might comprise as an exampleobtaining a specimen of one or more renowned and/or successful golfersforming their golf grips and performing their swings in a limb-only basemanner for other golfers to emulate if desired. Alternately, one or morelimb-only base golf grip and swing structures or styles that aredifferent from any previous structures or styles may be developed. Suchspecimens might comprise one or more angles of video or might consist ofreference data of a more computer-implemented nature. A referencespecimen goal might even be artificially produced from a golfer's owncurrent information as related below. A limb-only base golf grip andswing structure or style specimen to work from and reference may even becontained in a textbook manual to be taught by a golf swing instructor.As an example, FIGS. 6 through 17 comprise multiple views and positionsof what might be considered a fundamental and yet in certain ways uniquespecimen of a limb-only base golf grip and swing that one might chooseto emulate and reference while trying to learn the overall motion and/orany individual positions within the motion. There can be countlesslimb-only golf grip and swing specimen subjects available representinguntold different limb-only base golf grip and swing structures or stylesand available in various specimen formats for referencing towardemulating such structures or styles. It can reasonably be assumed thatfor any golf swing teacher teaching a limb-only golf swing structurethat is unique and which may not be documented elsewhere, the teachercan actually perform the swing being taught, in which case any such liveperformance of the swing structure can be considered a specimen to workfrom. While perhaps considered a crude specimen today and undesirable inthat it generally cannot be reproduced precisely the same every timeplus typically cannot be repeated at will for reference the way aspecimen that is machine recorded and readable commonly can for example,a live specimen can nevertheless still be very effective towardemulating that specimen.

It can be distinctly noted here that in this day and age oftechnological advancements and options, it would presumably not beoverly difficult to obtain a specimen of a well-known golfer swinging agolf club, electronically remove the golf club, and simply call theresult a limb-only base golf swing specimen of the golfer. This ofcourse defeats the entire purpose of the best embodiment of the presentinvention, and most people do not realize how often even some of thebest golfers play with golf clubs that are not nearly as good as theycould be in the way of fit and how much the swings of many of theseplayers would actually change when actually swinging without a golf clubas opposed to swinging with a club and having a part of such a specimensimply erased through technology. While generally speaking the bestplayers understand golf clubs and golf club fitting and have betterfitting clubs, players of this level still often fall far short withrespect to the best possible fit of their golf clubs, and it isliterally impossible to know whether any player's swing would notnoticeably change at all or change substantially between limb-only andgolf-club-added conditions unless and until actual swings are made underboth conditions. Thus, the prospect of formulating a “fake” limb-onlybase golf swing structure as just described for any golfer is anextremely poor and fallible manner of pursuing the implementation of thepresent invention.

In addition to getting a specimen to emulate if developing a specificlimb-only base golf grip and swing structure or style is desired for agolfer, a workable specimen might also be secured for the golferperforming the golfer's current limb-only base golf grip and swing. Herealso, cruder specimens might be no more than a golfer observing himselfin a mirror or being observed by another person. Such live specimens canstill be used to compare against the specimen to be emulated. But withthe greater ease of obtaining, generally low cost, and generally greaterbenefits of having a video or other type of data recording made of agolfer today that can then be repeatedly referenced with betterconsistency more easily today also, it would appear that there is littleexcuse for not having a specimen of a golfer's current limb-only basegolf grip and swing recorded in a machine made and readable format.

With good working specimens ideally readily available for a golfer'scurrent limb-only golf grip and swing and a limb-only base golf grip andswing structure or style to be emulated, a good quality comparison canbe made between the two and a determination(s) made as to how to bestfurther develop the golfer to best emulate the chosen specimen. Ireiterate here how critical it is in implementing the present inventionthat all such specimens are in a limb-only or clubless base format andhow immensely different and/or inconsistent golf grips and/or swings canbe, for both current specimens and specimens to be emulated, when oftenill-fitting and/or inconsistent golf clubs for example are allowed to beused during a base golf grip and swing learning process. As explainedfurther below, devices may be devised and utilized if deemed beneficialtoward helping a golfer's golf grip and/or swing transform from thegolfer's current limb-only base golf grip and swing specimen performanceto the limb-only base golf grip and swing specimen performance to beemulated in a more efficient manner. But any further “current” specimensproduced in order to learn of any progress made by the golfer toward thefinal goal must always be performed in a limb-only manner again in thebest embodiment of the present invention. As described earlier as justone possibility, golf club devices in the form of computer-generatedgolf clubs might be added to specimens originally and intentionallyproduced in a limb-only base manner in order to aid in analyzingspecimens individually or comparatively among multiple specimens ifdesired.

The specimens of a golfer's current limb-only base golf grip and swingstructure and the reference limb-only base golf grip and swing structureor style to be emulated do not necessarily have to be in the same formatin order to make an effective comparison(s) between the two. But it maybe helpful, particularly if for example specialized hardware and/orsoftware are also used to perform a direct comparison(s) between thelimb-only movements, positions, and other characteristics of twospecimens of the same format that might be more detailed than a merevisual comparison(s). A computer-implemented comparison(s) of suchspecimens that might analyze and display comparative data in a visualand/or mathematical manner may be beneficial. However, if such means ofspecimen comparison(s) are not available or cannot be implemented due tospecimens of different formats for instance, a visual analysis or anyother means of comparing specimens can be implemented as desired and canstill be highly effective due to the fundamental nature of the presentinvention of the specimens being in limb-only structures or styles tobegin with.

Other types of comparative analyses beyond the computer-implementedprocess just suggested include but are not limited to direct comparisonsof visually recorded specimens, as might be done independently or withthe aid of any of a seemingly limitless number of different hardwareand/or software golf swing analysis devices available. A “golf swinganalysis device” can broadly encompass any device that can provide anyinformation regarding a performed golf swing, even if providing simpleinformation in perhaps the form of video or other data with no otheranalysis provided, such as with a home video recording. A golf swinganalysis device is not required to be electronic in nature, althoughmost are today. With some of these devices, video specimens mightpossibly be superimposed over one another to more easily observedifferences between them. Some might have databases of various golferswings preprogrammed into them and provide an analysis of one or moreswing performance elements between any such preprogrammed swings and theinputted swing of a golfer. While many are based on video imaging withvarious amounts of computer software programming added for variousfeatures that may or may not include multiple golf swing comparisoncapabilities, others can use sensor devices of various types, sometimesplaced directly on a golfer, to gather various kinds of golf swinginformation and data for analysis. Prices and features among such golfswing analysis devices might range from being free to extremelyexpensive and how each might be applied to help make implementing thepresent invention more convenient can vary greatly. While the use ofcertain golf swing analysis devices may help implement the presentinvention in a more efficient manner, it is not mandatory that such adevice be present in order to implement the present invention.

Another possibility is a comparison(s) made by another individualobserving one or more swing performance elements between specimens ofdifferent swings (with one of the swings possibly being his/her own) andoffering observations, suggestions, and/or other aid to help a golferlearn to emulate a desired limb-only base golf grip and/or swingstructure. Through this limb-only process the present invention can helpgolfers develop base golf grip and swing structures or styles in a muchmore efficient manner than has ever been possible before. Regarding anyspecimen selected to be emulated, it may be determined that any givengolfer is to emulate all elements of the specimen as completely aspossible or emulate only one or more particular elements of thespecimen.

Regardless of whether it is determined to further develop a golfer'scurrent golf grip and swing based upon the underlying limb-onlystructure of the present invention by allowing the golfer's own physicaland psychological style develop further, through the emulation ofanother's already-existing limb-only base golf grip and swing structure,or through a newly-developed limb-only base golf grip and swingstructure, specific devices and/or exercises may be developed andutilized as desired to help a golfer best develop the desired limb-onlybase golf grip and/or swing structure or style. One such aiding deviceis described later. Another such device may comprise the inputting ofdata from a golfer's currently existing limb-only base golf grip andswing and/or any other potentially influential elements like certaingolfer physical body measurements (height, weight) and/or psychologicalattributes as examples into one or more computer-implemented hardwareand/or software devices in which such data may be used to configure anartificial interpretation and representation of what the golfer'slimb-only base golf grip and/or swing should ultimately be like, whichin turn might be applied toward helping the golfer achieve such alimb-only base golf grip and/or swing if desired. For the purpose of thepresent invention, the term “golfer substitute” may be used to representany type of artificial portrayal of any golfer or any part of anygolfer's performance other than a live performance and may include butnot be limited to everything from a video reproduction to a computersimulation that might be represented only in the form of a stick figureproduced from numerical and/or sensor data obtained from any givengolfer.

With the present invention providing a better method of teaching,learning, and/or performing a golf swing, the invention's method may befurther extended to also improve past means of fitting golf equipment,including all golf clubs. Alternately, the present invention's method ofusing only the body's limbs to develop a golf grip and swing structuremight be separated from the equipment fitting process, for which anindependent equipment fitting method can be formed.

Golf club fitting methods of the past have predominantly been comprisedof methods having a single focus. This single focus has been one offitting golf clubs based on the way a golf ball travels after being hitby a golfer, with an underlying assumption that the straighter, longer,and more solid the golf ball travel result is, the better the golfer isswinging. This statement, however, is regularly proven false, withgolfers routinely making good golf swings and still obtaining bad golfball travel results due to certain golf club specification valuesfitting a golfer well and others fitting the golfer poorly as just oneof many examples, or getting very good ball travel results from a swingthat is not performed well at all due to a golfer sometimes being ableto adjust and hit a golf ball as desired even while making a poorlycoordinated golf swing as just one of many examples. In other cases,golf ball travel results and golf swing performance are both consideredin the course of fitting golf clubs to a golfer, yet the two aspects aregenerally treated mainly as a single, intertwined, and inseparable unitwhere the same exact clubfitting principles are (wrongly) always appliedto either golfing aspect in essentially the same manner. As a result ofthese two predominant ways of thinking, a two-step fitting process thatdistinctly separates pure golf swing performance from golf ball travelresults has never been successfully developed or even really beenconsidered in the past, resulting in a golf club fitting industry thatto this point has had a rather poor record of success and reputation.Insufficient attention has been given to the fitting of golf clubsdirectly to golf swing performance as a separate and distinct fittingaspect, and the present invention rectifies this situation.

Inconsistent and/or inaccurate attention paid to golf swing performancein the fitting of golf clubs very often surrounds the use of the word“feel.” Unfortunately, there is abundant inaccuracy and/or confusionwithin the golf industry regarding certain golf club fitting theoriesand practices, some of which arises when the word “feel” becomesinvolved. The word “feel” in golf has in the past been defined in manydifferent ways by different club fitters, golfers, and so-calledclubfitting educators that have often been underqualified to date,substantially contributing to this inaccuracy and/or confusion and alack of better success within the clubfitting trade. A leading reasonfor this is that certain golfing elements and terms that should alwaysbe clearly separated and independent from each other have never beenproperly divided. The present invention distinctly separates golf swingperformance from golf ball travel results, correctly defines theexpression of “swing feel” as it should apply in golf (just oneparticular “feel” of many that can be very specifically defined ingolf), and divides the clubfitting process into a highly efficient,comprehensive, two-step method. The term “ball travel” as used withinthe present invention's disclosure of equipment fitting shall broadlyrefer to any and all facets of equipment fitting not particularlyconnected to direct swing performance. In addition to the obviousness ofgolf ball flight, this may include but not be limited to data fromimpact patterns between clubfaces and golf balls, divot informationthrough the ground and/or associated marks on clubhead soles, and golfclub measurements taken before ball travel begins, such as shaft flexingand/or clubhead position information.

One common sense, elementary statement made in golf is that in order toconsistently play the game to the best of one's ability, the single mostimportant factor in achieving this goal is that one must consistentlyswing to the best of one's ability. The inventor is in total agreementwith this statement. Therefore, the first fundamental of fitting anygolf club to any golfer should be to fit the club in accordance with theway one performs his/her limb-only base golf swing, which would be thebest, most consistent golf swing(s) the golfer would be able to make atany given point of his/her golf swing development. A major ingredient inthe determination of the quality of a performed golf swing is what iscommonly referred to as the feel of one's swing. As started above, theterm “feel” as used in golf may (and should) actually be defined inmultiple, discrete ways. One discreet definition can be “the feelobtained at impact between golf club and golf ball,” which can includethe amount of physical vibration felt by one during impact. This type of“feel” might be more crucial to golfers who experience arthritis intheir hands, elbow problems, or other physical ailments, and thisparticular “feel” can be affected by golf club grip size and material,shaft flex and material, and more. Another discreet definition for“feel” can be “the feel of the clubhead on the end of the golf shaftwhen starting the downswing,” and this particular “feel” might be animportant contributing factor when one is trying to determine what shaftflexibility to use in one's golf clubs. These two definitions of “feel”may technically be grouped more broadly under a distinct heading oftypes of “golf club feel.” Neither of these definitions, however, isrelated in any way to the term “swing feel” in golf.

Since it has already been established how the external element of a golfclub(s) can so easily and so often influence the performance of one'sbase golf swing, it stands to reason that in order to most efficientlydefine the term “swing feel” in golf, every effort must be made toremove the potential influence(s) of any golf clubs or golf club devicesfrom a base or default definition of “swing feel.” The presentinvention's disclosure allows such a definition of “swing feel” to beauthoritatively formulated. In referring back to FIGS. 6 through 11 ifneeded, the definition of “swing feel” in golf, as newly and betterdefined here, discretely becomes the physical and/or psychologicalsensation(s) obtained by a golfer anywhere or anytime in the course ofgolf swing performance using only the limbs of the body to swing with,absent any golf club, golf club device, or swing device and alsoeliminating as many other elements and circumstances as possible deemedpotentially influential respecting said limb-only golf swingperformance, both physical and psychological. Swing feel plays such acritical role in golf that in golf club fitting as one example it can beconsidered a legitimate golf swing and/or golf club specification withdistinct values if defined well enough to start with as done so in thepresent disclosure. Once one's swing feel is determined, one exceedinglyimportant use of the swing feel golf specification is to carry thatswing feel on to when any golf club is in hand and swung. Throughcomparisons in swing feel between one's limb-only base swing and swingsmade with any golf clubs or golf club devices comprising various valuesof any given golf club specification(s), one basically aims to choose avalue of any given club specification(s) that when swung most closelyreproduces via clubfitting one's limb-only base swing feel for thepurpose of acquiring the best fit of that particular golf clubspecification(s) of a golf club to one's true limb-only base golf swing.It is to be noted here that swing feel as a whole can be further brokendown if desired to more particular elements such as swing feel onlyduring a certain part(s) of one's swing and/or swing feel onlyencompassing a certain part(s) of one's body as examples, and swing feelmay be applied only to such a select element(s) if desired. A “swingdevice” can be very broadly defined for the purpose of this disclosureas anything intended to physically and/or psychologically alter ormaintain the performance and/or development of one's current limb-onlybase golf grip and/or swing structures. While the present inventionrefers mostly to the elimination of external physical elements that caninfluence one's limb-only base golf swing, golf is often called amentally difficult game and in certain respects there is some merit tothis belief. Therefore, “eliminating as many other elements andcircumstances as possible” in the given definition of swing feel alsorefers to the elimination of psychological obstacles that might preventone from performing one's best golf swing, regardless of whether one isin a condition of limb-only base swinging or the swinging of an actualgolf club as examples. The removal of such psychological obstacles isnot limited to only when swing feel is implemented.

As the terms base golf swing and swing feel are both represented in thepresent invention in terms of limb-only swinging, these two terms areclosely related to each other within this context within the presentinvention. Despite the greatly improved definition of “swing feel” heretoward the term's consistent application within golf club fitting (aswell as within the limb-only base golf swing development aspect of theinvention already discussed), “swing feel” by the very nature of theterm will reasonably retain a degree of subjectiveness that involvesunscientific human feelings. If desired, other means may be used to helpsupplement the application of and perhaps bring more of an objectiveperspective and/or solution when golfer swing feel is applied. Suchmeans might include but not be limited to an observing and/or recordingof a golfer's reference limb-only base golf swing by a qualifiedindependent entity, video, or computer-implemented device, a furtherobserving and/or recording of the golfer's swings made when usingvarious golf clubs or values of any given golf club specification, andmaking an objective comparison(s) between the reference base golf swingand swings made when using various golf clubs or values of any givengolf club specification, such comparison(s) made by said qualifiedindependent entity or and/or a device capable of comparing the observedand/or recorded swings. Such supplemental means might help minimize anysubjective conclusions inherent to swing feel if desired when swing feelis applied and may be more beneficial when swing feel is not adequatelydefined and/or cannot be adequately expressed in the course of any golfswing and/or clubfitting analysis. Such means or any other devised meansmight be applied to try to completely replace the application of swingfeel if desired.

In separating golf clubs as a whole into smaller parts andspecifications, most of these parts and specifications can be fitdirectly to golf swing performance, including by “swing feel,” withoutregard to golf ball travel results. This is a foundational first step ofan effective clubfitting method to correctly integrate a club with alimb-only base golf swing. Golf club parts include but are not limitedto golf grips, shafts, and club heads. Changeable golf clubspecifications related to such golf club parts that can directly affectbase golf swing performance include but are not limited to club length,grip diameter and weight, swingweight (swing weight) or waggle weight,clubhead face angle, shaft weight, and total golf club weight.Measurement units for the values of these and other golf clubspecifications as well as common ranges that the values of suchspecifications frequently fall within when fit to golfers are ratherwell known within the golfing industry and do not need to be elaboratedon here. Some clubfitting practitioners list no less than twentyinfluential golf club specifications. Some specifications, though, suchas clubhead loft, are usually more influential of ball travel resultsthan of direct swinging performance. More detailed descriptions ofvarious golf club specifications and their potential influences(although mostly expressed in terms of ball travel results and notdirect golf swing performance) can be found in any number of widelyavailable clubfitting materials.

The present invention does not specify any particular order that golfclub parts and specifications are to be fit. Such decision(s) may varyby clubfitting program, organization, or individual clubfitter. Anynumber of determined specification values may have to be reanalyzedafter being initially fit anyhow, as when any club specification ischanged, that change might affect the choice of value of one or moreother club specifications.

One of the goals of club designers and makers is to produce golf clubssuch that golfers can utilize their bodies in swinging to the fullest oftheir physical and emotional abilities. This includes developing golfgrip designs that result in golfers' hands being ideally situated in thesame positions relative to each other (and relative to the remainder ofthe golfers' bodies) when they structurally take hold of said golf gripdesigns as their hands are when they structurally form their golf gripwithout the use of any golf clubs or golf club devices. There is nobetter way for golfers, golf club designers, makers, fitters, and evengolf swing teachers to help achieve this goal than to first determine agolfer's current limb-only base golf grip and swing in the absence of asmany external influences as possible (including golf clubs or golf clubdevices) and then continue the clubfitting process by fitting golf clubsdirectly to the golfer's limb-only base golf swing, where the base swingis used as a reference swing to emulate and against which to compareswings made with a golf club(s) of varying specification values in orderto determine the best golf club fit to the golfer's base golf swing. Itcan be noted here that, particularly but not always limited to bettergolfers, the limb-only base golf grips and swings of such players as apractical matter may not have changed or further developed for anundetermined period of time. Thus, a golfer's initial performance of areference limb-only base golf grip, pre-swing, and/or swing for thepurpose of the present invention's clubfitting process is considered tobe any past performance of the same if determined or assumed that thegolfer's limb-only base golf grip, pre-swing, and/or swing have notchanged or further developed since said past performance.

FIGS. 18 through 23 show golfer 42 using the same underlying secure golfgripping structure 44 as that used in FIGS. 6 through 11 and introduce agolf club 46. FIGS. 18 through 23 should be correlated with the samepositions illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 11. The objective of thisaspect of the present invention's comprehensive method of better golfswing development and golf club fitting comprises striving tofundamentally make the same swing with any given golf club in hand(FIGS. 18-23) as the swing made using only the limbs of the body (FIGS.6-11). If considering the golf swing development and golf equipmentfitting aspects of the present invention to be distinct inventions, thenthis begins a method of improved equipment fitting.

In further elaborating about “swing feel,” it can be a very consistent,usable, and important sensation(s), emphasizing again that it couldactually be considered a golf club specification if considered inaccordance with the definition stated above. Golfers could be veryfamiliar with the positions of every part of their bodies at any pointduring their golf swings when their swings are unaffected byinconsistent elements like golf clubs, as well as the overall speed(tempo) and coordination of moving body parts in a specific order(timing) of their swings. “Swing feel” applies to all types of golfswings made, from the fullest, hardest of golf swings down to thesmallest, most subtle of chipping and putting strokes. Such “swing feel”may be utilized alone within this clubfitting process and communicatedbetween golfer and clubfitter. Despite improved technology analysisdevices, subtle differences in “swing feel” might be detectable by thehuman brain even before a complex external analysis device reveals anyswing change(s). Expanding on that previously noted, however, any otherdesired means may be used to aid in or replace a determination of “swingfeel” in analyzing golf swing performance and/or related golf clubparts, specifications, and/or specification values in the course offitting golf clubs directly to base golf swing performance as the firstpriority of clubfitting.

Preferred choices of golf club specification values in implementing thisclubfitting process might be selected based upon, as one example,detected swing feel changes among golf clubs having different grip sizeswhile all other golf club specification values remain unchanged andchoosing the grip size that best emulates the limb-only base swing feelwhen swung. Choosing a golf club swingweight value might likewise bedecided by varying a golf club's swingweight value while keeping theremaining golf club specification values unchanged. Other club-to-clubor same-club changes and comparisons can be made as desired, with thelimb-only swing(s) serving as the base swing(s) against which all otherswings are to be evaluated against and serving as the swing(s) to beemulated as best as possible when swinging any golf club.

It is to be broadly noted here that golf club fitting using the presentinvention can be performed under the same circumstance as any otherclubfitting method in that it can be performed at any stage of golfswing development. It is not necessary for a golfer to first“accomplish” a certain level of limb-only base swing development howeverthat might be defined by any given entity. A limb-only base golf gripand swing exists for any golfer at any stage of development, and a golfequipment fitting may be performed using the base golf grip and swingthat exists at the time the fitting is performed.

Certain golf club specification values that can critically affect one'sgolf swing with a golf club in hand actually need to be determined viathe pre-swing period before one's golf swing even begins. Noting onegolf club specification measurement in particular as an example, namelythat of a rotation point location associated with the golf clubspecification of waggle weight and its predecessor swingweight (swingweight), this specification can in fact only be measured during thepre-swing period because that is the only time and place the pointexists. Yet the value of this golf club specification measurement canhave a major impact on the consistency of one's subsequent golfswing(s).

Other golf club specifications exist that can be fit through eitherpre-swing or swing analysis as desired. For example, clubhead face anglevalue is typically chosen based on one's golf ball travel results, butthe specification's value can instead be chosen based on the way oneaddresses a golf ball during the pre-swing. The latter case can beconsidered fitting the specification's value to one's golf swing ratherthan ball travel results, as one's golf swing can indeed be affectedthrough fitting face angle in a manner associated with one's pre-swing.As another example, while one's limb-only gripping structure willgenerally remain very stable regarding one's hand positions due to theelimination of inconsistent golf clubs for instance, when golf clubs arereintroduced one's hand positions can change in a natural manner fromwhat they were when in a limb-only state due to different golf gripsizes and/or other variables. This natural adjusting to varying golfclub specification values can be taken advantage of in the course ofgolf club fitting. Another potential choice is thus introduced wherebyone's golf grip size might be selected as described above throughswinging clubs with different grip sizes on them, or one might insteaduse pre-swing comparisons and determine which golf grip size when beingheld onto results in one's hand positions best emulating one's handpositions as structured when in a base limb-only condition. The latteroption is not necessarily recommended when one has the opportunity toactually swing for the purpose of determining one's best golf grip size,as in a direct manner it might be considered fitting one's golf gripsize to a reference pre-swing base gripping structure and not to one'sgolf swing, but it is exposed here for the purpose of showing possibleclubfitting options for pre-swing and swing circumstances. Golf clubspecifications that can affect pre-swing movement and/or positioningare, but are not limited to, grip size and clubhead face angle, whichmay each influence one's hand positioning relative to the remainder ofone's body while preparing to swing, and swingweight or waggle weight,which may affect the speed and/or direction at which pre-swing movementsare made. Such factors can critically influence the performance of asubsequent golf swing. Club length might also be chosen to intentionallyalter one's body posture or spine angle at address (the address depictedin FIGS. 6, 12, and 18), which may also affect any of multiple elementsof succeeding swinging performance.

It can be distinctly noted here that due to golf club lengths thattypically vary considerably throughout a set of golf clubs plus thevarying terrains that golf swings are often made from, one's golf swingaddress posture notably changes on a regular basis. Yet the underlyingquality of coordination of one's golf swing remains essentiallyunaffected throughout these different address postures and this has beensolidly proven throughout the history of golf. As such, differences inone's address posture and resultant effects like slight changes in one'sswing plane due to swinging different length clubs for example do not bythemselves indicate that one's clubless base golf swing is not beingsuccessfully emulated. This same reasoning regarding normally-occurringaddress posture and swing plane changes in the course of playing golfmight also be applied when trying to emulate a particular golf swingstyle or structure in addition to when clubfitting.

There is no necessary correlation between being able to accuratelyemulate one's limb-only base pre-swing movements and/or positionsthrough golf club specification value adjustment(s) and achieving anaccurate emulation of one's limb-only base swing movements and/orpositions by using the same golf club specification value(s) determinedto emulate the golfer's base pre-swing. However, an approach ofdetermining any given club specification value of a golf club so that agolfer's pre-swing movements and/or positions with that club in handwill best emulate the golfer's limb-only base pre-swing may be used ifdesired and if deemed helpful toward accomplishing the goal of bestemulating the golfer's limb-only base swing when the golfer swings thator any golf club.

To that end, the sensation(s) of “pre-swing feel” can also play acrucial role in the present invention. As it has long been establishedthat pre-swing movement and/or positioning can critically affect one'ssubsequent golf swing movement and/or positioning, it is a naturalmatter of course to consider a limb-only base pre-swing as being anelement of a limb-only base swing and that pre-swing feel is animportant element of swing feel to be considered included within thedefinition provided for swing feel. But if suitable, the term “pre-swingfeel” may be defined independently by essentially substituting“pre-swing” for “swing” in the stated definition of “swing feel.” Aswith swing feel, any other means may be used as a supplemental orreplacement analysis if desired toward making a determination ofpre-swing feel if, as one example, it is desired to try to obtain a moreobjective determination respecting the sensation(s) involved.

It must be understood and appreciated through the present invention thatalterations in any number of golf equipment specification values canaffect a golfer's pre-swing movement(s) and/or position(s), which can inturn affect the golfer's subsequent golf swing and/or ball travelresults. Therefore, the fitting of any golf club specification value viapre-swing movement(s) and/or position(s) toward the clubfitting goal ofthe present invention constitutes implementing the present invention.This applies to choosing any golf equipment specification value by wayof emulating a golfer's limb-only base swing (fitting equipment to agolfer's swing) or by way of golf ball travel results (fitting equipmentto ball travel). This position is supported in part by the fact that thelimb-only base golf gripping structure or style, which has already beendisclosed as largely determining how a golfer will subsequently swing,is fundamentally and ideally developed and determined during thepre-swing period.

In describing other attributes of a pre-swing period for reference herethat may pertain to the present invention, a simple physical definitionof a pre-swing period for any given swing when a golfer is makingmultiple golf swings within a reasonable period of time is the periodthat fundamentally begins at the end of any previously performed swing(any practice or test swing is a swing, including but not limited tolimb-only swinging, swinging for the purpose of clubfitting, a partialswing, and a putting stroke) and ends at the start of the backswing ofthe given swing. But if no traditional backswing is made for the givenswing and a golf club head is set in midair in one's golf stance as oneexample, then the pre-swing period ends at the start of the forwardswing. A more complex but accurate definition that can be applied at anytime has the pre-swing period or just pre-swing beginning with anythought or action to prepare for a swing and ending the same as thatdescribed above. For purposes of golf swing preparation and/or learning,clubfitting, and/or other possible tasks, a pre-swing period can beperformed, unique information obtained potentially leading to working onpre-swing changes, and even certain golf club specification valuesunique to the pre-swing period fit, without actually making a subsequentswing.

Fitting values of various golf club specifications to a golfer whenclubfitting, in addition to the golfer generally using a variety ofdifferent golf clubs in which each club can commonly be varied regardingspecification values as well, generally also utilizes many differentclubfitting tools or devices to aid in fitting many different golf clubspecifications and specification values. Such tools might be applied inthe course of fitting any given golf club specification or specificationvalue, whether fitting through the golfer's pre-swing movement and/orpositioning, through emulating the golfer's limb-only or clubless basegolf swing performance, and/or through the golfer's golf ball travelresults as examples. Determining a golf club specification value thatcan be fit during the pre-swing period for instance might include theuse of a golf club and a means to aid in determining a pre-swingrotation point location (called a waggle weight point) about the golfclub as a golfer moves the club during the golfer's pre-swing period.Lie boards, club face and sole impact tape and lead tape, club faceangle, grip size, and other golf club measuring gauges, scales tomeasure golf club swingweight (swing weight) or waggle weight, shaftfrequency and other shaft characteristic analyzers, loft and liemachines, and clubhead and shaft adapters are just some of the multitudeof tool devices used in the fitting of golf clubs to golfers. Otherclubfitting tools include but are not limited to golf swing analyzersand launch monitors that commonly utilize a variety ofcomputer-implemented hardware and/or software devices. Such devicesmight include but not limited to various types of hardware sensors toaid in gathering golfer, golf club, and/or golf ball travel informationthat might be further analyzed and/or displayed with the aid of softwareprogramming.

Some of the same devices utilized to help fit golf clubs to golfers arealso commonly used to help further develop the golf swings of golfersand vice versa. Hardware and/or software golf swing analyzers and launchmonitors, golf club balancing scales like swingweight scales, golf clubloft and lie measuring and adjusting tools, and golf grip sizingapparatus are just a few of the devices that can impact both the swingdevelopment and clubfitting facets of a golfer's game. Some such toolsor devices might be directly handled by or physically in contact with agolfer like golf clubs of varying specification values for swingingwith, while some might be indirect in nature like a video camera at adistance used to record a golfer's swing. Specifically within a swingdevelopment or clubfitting process not limited to when a golfer's basegolf grip and swing is performed in a limb-only or clubless manner, anygolf clubs, golf club devices, and/or specialized test clubs that mightfor instance be constructed to help more conveniently fit values ofdetermined golf club specifications to a golfer, are consideredtools/devices of use within the same context or scope as the otherexample devices noted above for the express purpose of helping tofurther develop a golfer's swing or helping to best fit values ofdetermined golf club specifications to a golfer respectively.

With respect to the limb-only base golf grip and swing development facetof the present invention, and if preferred to emulate another'slimb-only golf grip and/or swing rather than preferring to allow agolfer's limb-only golf grip and swing to develop naturally around thestructure of the present invention, then the specific emulating ofanother's limb-only golf grip and/or swing or any other developedlimb-only base golf grip and swing style or structure might beimplemented by or for many golfers and is perfectly acceptable practice.However, with respect to the golf club fitting facet of the presentinvention, fitting any golf club specification value to a golfer's baseswing can only be achieved through emulating that own golfer's limb-onlybase swing and nobody else's, regardless of the perceived level ofdevelopment of the golfer's limb-only base grip and swing at the time ofthe clubfitting.

Sequentially one might choose golf club parts or club specificationvalues to obtain any desired golf ball travel result as a secondarypriority of clubfitting, without compromising the quality of golf swingperformance achieved in the previous process, to complete a mostadvanced and comprehensive equipment fitting method. Some golf clubspecifications, including but not limited to golf club head loft, clublie (the angle of the club head relative to the club shaft), and shaftflexibility, may ordinarily but not always be considered to have aneffect on golf ball travel result but generally not on the performanceof a golf swing directly. Such specifications may now be selected tofine-tune golf ball travel in any manner desired, with the highestpriority remaining the quality of swing performance acquired in theprior process to comprehensively best fit any clubs. No particular orderis specified for fitting such club parts and/or specifications and maybe chosen by preference. As it is when fitting directly to swingperformance as the first priority, changing any given golf clubspecification value may affect the fit of any other club specificationvalue regarding golf ball travel result also, so certain parts and/orspecifications might have to be analyzed more than once during thefitting process.

Other golf club specifications, including but not limited toswingweight, waggle weight, face angle (square, open, closed), and gripsize, can affect both direct golf swing performance and also subsequentball travel results. In implementing the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, if a particular golf grip size results in anundesirable golf ball travel curvature result after being struck by agolfer, yet the identical grip size results in the best “swing feel” forthe golfer and/or the best swing performance match to the golfer'slimb-only base swing(s) over other grip sizes, then that particular golfgrip size should be chosen for the golfer. Other golf clubspecifications fundamentally affecting golf ball travel results but notdirect golf swing performance might then be adjusted in value instead ofgrip size to help achieve a desired ball travel result withoutnegatively impacting the golfer's swing performance.

Another example might involve choosing between two popular golf shaftmodels of today named Dynamic Gold S300 and Dynamic Gold X100. Both areessentially the same design except for step locations that as a wholeare moved two inches more toward the clubhead end on the X100, resultingin somewhat different stiffness qualities (the X100 being stiffer) andshaft diameters along comparable points of their lengths. Developedswing speed and/or ball travel results are two of the most commonelements looked at when deciding between the two shafts. However, thetwo-inch difference in step patterns, which may come into play in theform of different shaft diameters under different parts of the handswhen each model is gripped (held on to), can result in profounddifferences in direct swing performance between the two golf shafts. Yetsuch direct swing performance is most often ignored in clubfitting,instead applying the aforesaid and/or similar principles that aregenerally less effective at producing the best overall playingimprovement. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thefirst priority in choosing between these two shafts should be based ondirect swinging performance that most closely matches one's limb-onlybase swinging. Other club specifications may subsequently be altered asdesired, with the firm understanding that retaining the highest qualityof direct golf swing performance means the best club fit atclubfitting's most basic level.

Golfer performance, whether referencing direct swing performance or golfball travel result and not unlike manufactured articles, are subject totolerances, in which acceptable swinging performance and golf swingmotion might for example be achieved within a certain range of a golfclub specification's values. Swingweight is one good example, where eventhe best of golfers can often swing well with three consecutive valuesof swingweight. While through “swing feel” a golf club's effectiveclubhead weight may feel a little heavy at the highest swingweight valueof an acceptable swingweight range and a little light at the lowestvalue, overall swing performance is often still acceptable within such arange. If fitting a golf club specification value to a limb-only basegolf swing performance and no other issue such as golf ball travelresult is contemplated, then the best embodiment of the presentinvention consists of finding the range of consecutive specificationvalues that might be found in which swings may be substantially the sameas the limb-only base swing, and from that selecting the specificationvalue that is in the middle of that range. Note that specification valueranges will not always be found and can depend on the particular golfclub specification being fit, the sensitivity and/or talent level of thegolfer being fit, and more. And when specification value ranges arefound, such ranges may be different for different golfers again due todifferent golfer sensitivities and/or talent levels. If a specificationvalue range is found and the middle value is selected based on fittingto a golfer's limb-only base swing, and then it is additionallyattempted to fit the same golf club specification also based upon asought golf ball travel result, it may be possible to slightly alter thespecification's value while still remaining within the tolerance rangepreviously shown to still produce good swinging results and at the sametime obtain a slightly better golf ball travel result. While anundetermined amount of direct swing performance quality might besacrificed in doing so, due to such golf club specification value rangesthat can exist, it may be possible to slightly alter any given golf clubspecification value in order to try and obtain a better golf ball travelresult while still maintaining acceptable swinging performance if onedesires, albeit the chosen value may be one that may be right on thefringe of being able to swing comparably well to that of the limb-onlybase golf swing.

As a different example, a particular golf club that results in anoticeable and perhaps unwanted change to a golfer's swing plane mightstill be preferred over other club choices because the coordinationtiming element of the golfer's swing may be best with the particularclub and determined to be a more important swing element than thegolfer's swing plane, with both the desired swing plane and swingcoordination timing elements determined to be not practically achievablewith the particular golf club. Subsequently modifying a different clubspecification(s) value such that the golfer's swing timing is notadversely affected may be done if desired to adjust golf ball travelresult if the change in swing plane contributes to a less-than-desirableball travel result. As might be seen, even when an element like swingfeel is not expressly involved and regardless of whether good or bad,subjective decisions may still at times be required in golf,necessitating that elements such as golf swing development and golf clubfitting be at least partly classified as art forms and not 100% science,at least not at the present time.

FIG. 24 shows the golfer 42 having just completed a golf swing and hit agolf ball 48. Several golf club and golf ball travel statistics may bemeasureable with a launch monitor 50. The golf club 46 has already beenconfigured pursuant to the direct swing performance fitting processdescribed earlier and displayed in FIGS. 6-11 and 18-23. Launch monitorsand/or similarly named devices have become very prevalent in recenttimes for aiding in analyzing certain golfer, golf club, and/or golfball travel data. While the use of such devices, oftencomputer-implemented, can be a valuable help in the right hands, launchmonitors primarily focus on ball travel results and not direct swingperformance of golfers. The launch monitor results 52, displaying onelikely measurement, indicate the ball launch angle 54 as thirty degrees.It might be pre-determined based upon any number of input elements thatthe best overall golf ball travel distance achievable by the golfer 42may be obtained with a ball launch angle of twenty-five degrees from theparticular golf club 46 being used. The golf club head 56 mightsubsequently be adjusted or replaced with a club head having otherwisemutual characteristics except for five degrees less club head loft.Thus, golf ball travel can be altered and improved for the golfer 42,and in a way by altering a golf club specification that does notadversely influence the golfer's swing performance as determined andachieved in the preceding process.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart of one comprehensive embodiment of the presentinvention. First is forming a secure golf grip using only a body's limbs58. While not ideal, a golf grip substitute might be employed if it isdetermined that the subsequent golf swing does not substantially changeover a completely limb-only grip and swing performance. Second isdeveloping a golf swing using the formed grip 60, using only the body'slimbs to work with and absent the use of any golf clubs or golf clubdevices. If desired to not simply allow the golf swing to furtherdevelop on its own in its own manner and at its own pace based of theformation of the limb-only gripping structure, a desired base golf swingstructure may be sought out. As disclosed earlier, the limb-only gripand/or subsequent swing may be based on any determined golf grip and/orgolf swing style. A current performance of a limb-only golf grip and/orswing, which is considered to be any past performance if judged that thelimb-only grip and/or swing structures have not changed since said pastperformance, will commonly be analyzed or at least observed by the onewho performed said golf grip and/or swing and/or perhaps anotherindividual before a determination is made as to what desired golf swingstructure might be sought out for emulation. Other means may also beutilized to supplement or replace such a type of initial analysis orobservation, including but not limited to analyzing a specimen of saidlimb-only golf grip and/or swing as recorded by a video orcomputer-implemented device that can display information about theperformed golf grip and/or swing. But such an initial analysis is notabsolutely required before a determination is made as to what desiredgolf grip and/or swing structures want to be emulated.

The desired golf swing structure to be emulated should be portrayed in astructure where the golf grip is taken in a limb-only manner or with agolf grip substitute and the swing is subsequently performed as such.Obtaining a specimen of the desired golf swing structure for referencewas discussed in detail earlier. Subsequently, a specimen of the swingthat is to emulate the desired swing is obtained and the two swingstructures compared. Various specimen types of the swing that is toemulate the desired swing were also discussed earlier as well as variousways to compare specimens of the swing that is to emulate the desiredswing and the desired swing. Upon comparing specimens of the twodifferent golf swing structures, a determination(s) may be maderegarding how to try to best develop the limb-only swing structure thatis to emulate the desired limb-only base swing into the desiredlimb-only base swing structure. Various methods, strategies, devices,exercises, and so forth to try to transform all or part of a golf swingfrom one structure or style to another structure or style at times seemalmost as numerous as golfers and the scope of the present inventiondoes not include a deep discussion of these aspects. The presentinvention provides the best foundation for determining what the truestructure of any given golf swing currently is and what the truestructure of any golf swing that wants to be emulated is. How tospecifically transform from one to the other is up to each entity, andany methods, strategies, devices, and/or exercises may be utilized inconjunction with the present invention.

The next step 62 initiates the clubfitting process by fitting at leastone golf club to the developed swing, whereby swinging performance withthe at least one golf club is reproduced as accurately as possible tothe limb-only base golf swing. As noted earlier, the limb-only base golfswing may be at any stage of development at the time of the clubfitting.While the disadvantage(s) of an undeveloped golf grip and/or swingstructure should be obvious, nevertheless even a beginner golfer able toformulate some kind of limb-only base gripping structure as describedwithin the present disclosure and make any kind of swing may have a golfclub fit to that base gripping structure and/or swing if desired inaccordance with the present invention. Furthermore, for the purpose ofthe present invention, fitting a single golf club specification value toa golfer's base grip and/or swing constitutes the fitting of a golf cluband implements the present invention. With a golf club having manydifferent golf club specifications, it is not uncommon for one or moreor nearly every club specification value to fit a golfer well throughone or more previous golf club fitting processes for instance, where afitting of perhaps only a single golf club specification value for thegolfer might be all that is needed and may make a profound difference inthe overall club fit.

Some additional aspects regarding the clubfitting process to a limb-onlybase golf swing structure are as follows. Depending on the particulargolf club specification being fit and the golf club devices available,the fitting of any given golf club specification might reasonablyrequire just one or multiple golf club devices. For example, the fittingof golf club swingweight is often enacted through the temporary additionand removal of adhesive lead tape to a golf club's clubhead. Such aprocedure can routinely be done rather readily, allowing a single golfclub to be used while a golfer tries different values of swingweight.However, with a specification such as golf grip size, in which gripsgenerally need to be installed using a solvent and allowed to dryovernight before use, it is typically not reasonable to try to use thesame golf club for fitting golf grip size. In such a case, multiple golfclubs or golf club devices will usually have various grip sizesinstalled on them beforehand, with multiple golf clubs generally beingused for the testing and fitting of a single golf club specificationlike grip size.

As various values of any given golf club specification are tried duringthe clubfitting process and depending upon how swings with the variousvalues will be compared with the reference limb-only base swing (that isthrough golfer swing feel, the watchful eye of a separate observer, orany type of golf swing analysis device as examples), how much thelimb-only base golf swing will have to referenced during the process canvary greatly. As an example, it was noted earlier that a moreexperienced golfer might be so familiar with his or her swing feel thatthe golfer's reference limb-only base golf grip and swing structure willnot even have to be physically performed initially at the time ofstarting to implement the present invention's clubfitting process. Apast performance of the same is frequently firmly implanted in such agolfer's mind and is considered to be beginning the clubfitting processof the present invention. Similarly, when such a golfer begins testingvarious values of any given golf club specification, the golfer may beable to go through a determined entire range of specification valueswithout physically making his or her reference limb-only base golf gripand/or swing at all, knowing firmly in mind which specification value orvalues best substantially replicate the golfer's reference limb-onlybase golf swing when coming across and swinging with that particularspecification value(s), without the need for further repetitions of thegolfer's reference limb-only base golf gripping and/or swingingstructure.

Alternately, however, for a golfer who does not have such a level ofswing feel, and comparisons between the golfer's reference limb-onlybase golf swing and swings made with various values of any given golfclub specification are done through video image comparisons for example,the golfer's limb-only base golf gripping and/or swinging structuresmight have to be referenced after every value of the golf clubspecification tried, with this process repeated until all determinedvalues of the specification are tried or until perhaps a definitepattern emerges through video comparisons where a decision can be madebefore all values are tried as to which specification value bestsubstantially replicates the golfer's reference limb-only base swing. Soagain, while fitting any given golf club specification, the number oftimes the limb-only base golf grip and/or swing structures are or shouldbe referenced can vary considerably based on factors such as golfertalent level and the method used to compare the base swing with swingsmade using various golf club specification values. The limb-only basegolf grip and/or swing structures should be referenced when deemedneeded or advantageous and there is no minimum or maximum number in thisregard. If the limb-only base golf swing is performed essentially liveand the fit of a golf club specification value is attempted throughswing feel, then the limb-only base golf swing may be performed againany time it is deemed helpful in the course of swinging with and tryingdifferent values of any given golf club specification. If the limb-onlybase golf swing has been physically recorded, then the recording may bereferenced at any time in the course of swinging with and tryingdifferent values of any given golf club specification. For the purposeof this disclosure, any time a recorded limb-only base golf swing isreferenced, it is considered to be the equivalent of performing thelimb-only base golf swing live again. It can be noted here that eventhough the limb-only base golf gripping and/or swinging structures arefar better representations of a golfer's true golf gripping and/orswinging structures as well as being more consistent in nature, thatdoes not mean they will automatically be performed perfectly every time.Thus, for any number of reasons one should not feel totally bound by anygiven performance of a limb-only base golf grip and/or swing. Thereference limb-only base golf grip and/or swing structures may beperformed over at any time if desired and work continued or started overusing the new base golf grip and/or swing structures for reference.

The present invention's clubfitting process may of course be repeatedfor the fitting of additional golf club specifications. As impliedabove, a golfer having never been fit for golf clubs before may want tohave every golf club specification that can possibly affect the golfer'slimb-only base golf grip and/or swing structure fit to him or her.Alternately, a more experienced golfer that may have previously been fitfor golf clubs might have any number of the many different influentialgolf club specifications already correct and may want to reanalyze thefit of as little as one single golf club specification that might be ofcritical importance to the golfer. While a discussion could be engagedin regarding some golf club specifications being more important thanothers toward a golfer's base golf swing performance, this is generallya rather subjective undertaking in that how far off any given clubspecification's value might be for a golfer is extremely influential inthis regard, plus a specification like golf club swingweightingtechnically works extremely well for many golfers and yet not at all forothers among every different playing level. So this particular facetthat can unintentionally be misleading to any given golfer will not beinvestigated here.

The present invention can be further implemented by also comparing golfclubs side by side after they have been individually fitted. Forinstance, after all offered golf club specifications have been fit tobest emulate a golfer's limb-only base golf gripping and swingingstructures for each of two golf clubs that might have different golfshafts in them as one example, the golfer may further proceed byswinging these two golf clubs side by side an undetermined number oftimes to compare them. Even though they have both already been fit tothe golfer, due to the immense selection of golf club components thatcan vary widely in design and that essentially changes constantly, oneof these golf clubs might be swung noticeably better than the other. Insuch a case, the golfer's limb-only base golf swing structure is stillthe ultimate reference swing that is used against which to compare bothgolf clubs, and where it might be found that the golfer's limb-only basegolf swing structure is reproduced better when swinging one of the clubscompared with the other club. Such side-by-side swinging comparisonsbetween different clubs as further clubfitting processes do notnecessarily need to wait until every golf club specification determinedto influence a golfer's limb-only base golf swing performance is fit tothe clubs to be compared, although it is reasonable to think that anynumber of like specifications should be fit to the clubs to besubsequently compared or any such comparison may be invalid. With mostimportant golf swing performance based on limb-only base golf grip andswing structures attended to, consideration can now be given to golfball travel results.

Continuing, step 64 comprises the completion of the clubfitting processby further fitting the at least one golf club to obtain a desired golfball travel result, whereby the swing performance achieved in 62 isjudiciously maintained. Here also, the fitting of a single golf clubspecification value to obtain a desired golf ball travel resultconstitutes further fitting the at least one golf club. As notedearlier, the successive steps of 62 and 64 may comprise their own uniqueindependent equipment fitting method, whereas the steps of 58 and 60 maycomprise a novel independent swing development method, both methodswithin the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, while theimplementation of golf club fitting based upon golf ball travelresult(s) is an essential part of a comprehensive clubfitting process inaddition to direct swing performance result(s), there may becircumstances in which swing performance clubfitting alone may wish tobe conducted for any given golf club specification(s) to the completeexclusion of any golf ball travel result(s), in which case 62 of FIG. 25may be implemented as a stand-alone clubfitting process within the scopeof the present invention. The fitting of any given golf clubspecification value to a golfer in accordance with the golfer'slimb-only base golf grip and/or swing performance is not simply limitedto full, hard golf swings. Such a golf club specification value fittingprocess may be implemented on all variations of golf swings/strokes thatcan be performed from full swings to partial or half swings to chippingshots to putting strokes. Moreover, the fitting of any given golf clubspecification value to a golfer according to the golfer's referencelimb-only base golf grip and/or swing performance does not simply meanemulating every possible characteristic or swing performance element ofthe reference limb-only base golf grip and/or swing performance withoutexception. With a multitude of various golf club lengths routinely beingused that can force alterations in a golfer's address postures and/orswing planes compared with the golfer's limb-only base address postureand/or swing plane as examples, it may be determined to emulate only oneor more particular elements or characteristics of the golfer's referencelimb-only base golf grip and/or swing, such as the golfer's overallswing timing or coordination for instance, and ignore one or moreparticular elements or characteristics, such as the golfer's addressposture or swing plane for instance.

Limb-only base formed golf grips, pre-swings, and/or swings of a golferand/or any specimen to be emulated by the golfer, as well as formed golfgrips, pre-swings, and/or swings of a golfer and/or any specimen whenusing any golf clubs, golf club specifications, golf club devices, orswing devices, may of course be broken down into smaller movement(s)and/or positioning(s) for better comparative analyses if desired.Although often separated in this disclosure for better detail andexplanation, in the broadest scope of the present invention the term“golf swing” or just “swing” will by default include a pre-swing periodto the swing unless specifically indicated otherwise, and also includethe forming and formation of a gripping structure, which take placeduring the pre-swing period. Accordingly, the breaking down of a “swing”into smaller movement(s) and/or positioning(s) may comprise isolatingthe swing's pre-swing period or gripping structure as examples or evenfurther breaking down such swing parts if deemed helpful within thepresent invention's swing development or club fitting process.

Other factors within swing development and equipment fitting processescan influence swing feel, including but not limited to wearing apparelof all types, apparel of which can thus also be considered equipment,and/or ball or other object travel results, including but not limited tofeatures of the ball or object itself, another example of an item thatcan be considered equipment. Therefore, it is preferable to not limitthe scope of the present invention to golf clubs or golf clubspecifications with respect to equipment in general and golf equipmentmore specifically.

While seemingly contrary to following the most logical course of firstdeveloping and/or improving one's base golf swing and subsequently firstfitting any golf club specifications directly to one's existing basegolf swing, it may instead be desired by some fitters to implement thepresent invention's clubfitting method steps (62 and 64) in reverseorder than what has been presented to this point. In any such cases,ball travel results would be the first priority and direct swingperformance the second priority. Fitting directly to one's base swingperformance might still fall within the guidelines of the embodiment(s)presented, wherein clubfitting success or failure is determined by howwell golf swings are reproduced or emulated with any golf club in handrelative to limb-only base golf swings without using any golf clubs orgolf club devices. However, different golf club specification values mayinitially be chosen if proceeding with golf ball travel results as thehigher priority. While golf swing performance may still seem to beacceptable at the end of such a fitting process, any golf clubspecification value may be substantially different as a result of thisreversal of the clubfitting method. Such outcomes may occur due to anability of many golfers to adjust their swings a certain amount if theirswings are ignored during clubfitting at the expense of fitting golfclub specification values based on golf ball travel results as thehighest priority.

People even only moderately experienced at golf are generally aware ofhow much a golf swing can be affected by certain changes in golf clubspecification values. In light of this knowledge, fitting golf clubs togolfers by way of golf ball travel results as the first priority anddirect swing performance as the second priority can be considered a formof fitting a golf swing to golf clubs and/or golf ball travel resultsrather than fitting golf clubs and/or golf ball travel results to a golfswing. It can ordinarily be stated that fitting golf clubs directly to abase golf swing as the first priority is the recommended method toachieve the best overall golfing performance, but the reverse method maybe used if deemed advantageous toward producing the most effectiveclubfitting. Via either means, at least one golf club or other piece ofequipment may subsequently be produced to any equipment specification(s)value determined during the fitting process.

The ultimate implementation of the present invention is that asdescribed within the present disclosure, as the limb-only grippingprocess is at its most accurate and consistent when no external deviceof any type is placed within one's hands, thus also leading to the mostaccurate and consistent performing of one's true limb-only base golfswing at any level of development. However, while a limb-only grippingprocess would reasonably be fundamentally easier to implement for agolfer that has already had an undetermined amount of experience attaking hold of a real golf club in a manner that is traditionallytaught, a less experienced golfer might struggle more with learning howto implement an efficient limb-only golf grip.

To this end, a process may be implemented if desired in which an actualobject or succession of objects may be placed within a golfer's handsthat may potentially aid in helping the golfer ultimately develop anefficient limb-only golf grip. The objective of this process is to beginwith a real object in the golfer's hands of as large a general diameteras the golfer is initially comfortable with, where larger diameterobjects to hold onto might initially be more comfortable for a golferthat is completely unaccustomed to a limb-only gripping process fromwhich to perform and further develop if desired the golfer's truelimb-only base golf swing, the swing structure which is also used toreference in the course of golf club fitting to the golfer's limb-onlybase golf swing.

The process continues with the objective of diminishing the generaldiameter of the object within the golfer's hands or in effect weaningthe golfer off of the larger diameter object(s) as the golfer becomesmore accustomed to and/or skilled at taking his/her golf grippingstructure with the larger diameter object(s) first, with the eventualoutcome of the golfer being able to take a completely limb-only golfgripping structure in an efficient manner and with no external physicalobject needed at all within the golfer's hands.

This process is not limited to being used by less skilled golfers andmay in fact be implemented as desired by golfers of any playing ability.For example, many golfers will justifiably tend to go back and reviewtheir golfing fundamentals on occasion, sometimes on a regularlyscheduled basis, even if they happen to already be playing very well inorder to make sure that any inadvertent physical and/or psychologicalelement(s) have not entered or left the process or direction the golferwants to follow or is supposed to be following. To this end, even if avery good golfer is concerned about or just wants to review his/herlimb-only gripping structure, the golfer may want to insert such anobject into his/her hands and reference the gripping structure takenwith the device in hand against the golfer's pure limb-only grippingstructure. Such a review might potentially bring to light something thegolfer may want to work on regarding the golfer's eventual limb-onlygripping structure.

There is no specific number disclosed of such objects that might beconsidered in a set so to speak to step down or diminish in generaldiameter to best effectively wean a golfer from implementing a grippingstructure commonly more comfortably done with a larger diameter objectat the start down to a limb-only condition at finish. This number mayvary as desired and such objects might generally range in diameters fromtypical finished golf grip sizes at the high end that are routinelypublished by many different golf related entities down to as small adiameter as deemed practicable before a complete limb-only grippingstructure is taken by a golfer. Additionally, if any such set of objectsis devised, there is no requirement that every one of them be used onevery golfer and only selected objects may be utilized based upon asexamples the beginning skill and/or comfort level of each individualgolfer regarding the golfer's gripping structure technique.

One or more such object devices may be specially produced if desired forthis specific purpose of helping a golfer ultimately develop his/herbest limb-only base golf grip from which to develop the golfer'slimb-only base golf swing. As noted, each device would generally becircular in diameter, although various device sizes may be made havingdifferent diameters. However, any other shape may be devised as desired,such as a shape formed to fit in and/or influence the positions of agolfer's hands in a specific manner if deemed advantageous toward thebest ultimate development of the golfer's limb-only base golf gripstructure.

Beyond the general round diameter of the device, which may or may not besolid in nature, and in referring to FIG. 4, the length of the deviceshould be such that it just covers the entire span of the hands 20 and22 along axis 36. A device length that is notably longer than thisprovides no benefit and may interfere with the best development of agolfer's hand positions along the length of the device. The device maybe made adjustable in its length as desired to accommodate variousgolfer hand sizes, shapes, and gripping structures or styles asexamples. In the ten-fingered or baseball gripping style or structure ofFIG. 1 for instance where no overlapping or interlocking of the hands 20and 22 takes place, the device length will need to be slightly longer.Furthermore, use of the described device will be essentially mandatoryfor a golfer that prefers a ten-fingered or baseball style golf grippingstructure depicted in FIG. 1 in order to help assure that the two hands20 and 22 are aligned along a consistent axis as they would reasonablybe when an actual golf club were being held on to. Thus, the situationdepicted in FIG. 1 that would often be encountered without the use ofsuch a device, where the axes 30 and 32 through the hands would be moreprone to being different starting right with the initial hand grippingpositions and then often getting worse when subsequently swinging, wouldbe avoided. But while the use of such a device would be quite criticalthroughout a base golf grip and base golf swing structuring processand/or a clubfitting process to a golfer's base swing when aten-fingered or baseball structure or style golf grip for example isimplemented by a golfer, the use of such a device can more easily beultimately eliminated when gripping styles or structures are used whereparts of the golfer's hands are overlapped or interlocked as depicted inFIGS. 2 through 5.

The construction and/or use of such a device or set of devices asdesired should assure that the device(s) is generally sufficiently rigidenough along its length to not appreciably bend or flex in the course ofa golfer practicing initially forming his or her gripping structurearound the device and potentially swinging with the device in hand sothe golfer might best get used the gripping structure and alsosubsequently swinging with such a gripping structure. The situation ofFIG. 1 where the axes 30 and 32 running through the hands 20 and 22 arenot consistent with each other needs to be avoided in order to bestimplement the present invention but can be encountered even with the useof a discrete device placed within a golfer's hands such as thatdescribed if the device is not rigid enough along its length. As morerigidity is easier to accomplish in objects of larger diameters andsince various diameters of the described device(s) may be utilized inorder to ideally eventually wean a golfer down to no such device beingrequired at all when the golfer forms his or her gripping structure orstyle, various diameters of the device(s) described may be made ofdifferent materials in order to achieve a sufficient amount of rigidityalong the lengths of various diameters of the device(s) used to help anygiven golfer accomplish the goal(s) of the present invention in anefficient manner. Any such differences in the material(s) used toconstruct such a device(s) might come into play more for the smaller orsmallest diameter(s) of the device(s) to be produced, where material(s)of a less common or more specialized nature may be needed in order toachieve the desired rigidity of such a device(s).

The purpose again is for a golfer to use smaller and smaller diameterobjects or devices placed within the golfer's hands and for the golferto become accustomed to implementing a golf gripping structure andswinging under such conditions until the golfer is sufficiently skilledthat such a device(s) is ultimately no longer needed ideally, andwhereby if successful the best consistency and accuracy will be achievedin implementing the present invention. As the goal is for a golfer toeventually form a limb-only base golf grip and swing structure, inaddition to the stiffness characteristic of the device(s) describedabove, the goal should also be to make any such devices as light aspossible, particularly as approaching the smallest device diameter(s)and the final limb-only condition that is being sought in connectionwith the present invention. (However, once an appropriate grippingstructure is developed, other possibilities also open up, like thedesign and construction of a device similar in design to a dumbbell,with a shaft in the middle [of as small a diameter as possible given theoverall design of the device] that a golfer would take his or hergripping structure on in the same way as on the device and process justdescribed, but with added weights [that may or may not be equal] on bothsides of the shaft just above and below the golfer's structured golfgrip. Such a device might help promote and/or retain an efficient golfgrip structure as close as possible to a limb-only gripping structurefor a golfer and allow the swinging of the device in a limited space forthe golfer to work on increasing the strength of the golfer's golf swingas one possibility).

Because most actual typical golf grip models generally have a taper tothem, the described device may also be designed with a taper if deemedhelpful toward best weaning a golfer down to ideally a limb-only golfgripping structure. But it is not necessary and even if done would onlyreally be applicable to larger diameters of the device generallycomparable to the diameters of actual golf grip models. As the generaldiameter of such a device(s) decreases toward better promoting anideally limb-only gripping structure for a golfer, a tapering of thedevice becomes undesirable (and would be much less noticeable anyway atconsiderably smaller overall device diameters) toward the goal ofeventually eliminating such a device altogether on the way to developinga sound, limb-only base golf grip and swing structure. It is to be notedhere again that depending upon a gofer's overall experience in the gameat the time of implementing the present invention, not every golfer willbe aided by the use of such a device(s). Any given golfer may be able toefficiently form a limb-only base golf grip from which to furtherimplement the present invention without the use of the device(s)described herein that can be placed within a golfer's hands if desiredto help the golfer ultimately develop an efficient limb-only golf gripstructure from which to further implement the present invention.

The present invention can be applied on a very small to a very largescale. As examples, developing a limb-only base golf grip and swing is amethod that can be taught and/or learned on an individual basis and/orcan be a method that is the basis for an entire organization(s) withrespect to how the organization(s) as a whole and/or its members teachand/or otherwise provide instruction for improving base golf swingperformance of any golf swing style. Likewise, the method of the presentinvention for fitting (and potentially subsequently producing) golfequipment can also be applied on an individual basis and/or the methodcan for instance be applied by a golf equipment manufacturer(s) toimprove the design(s) of even mass-produced golf clubs for providingbetter fitting golf clubs overall for golfers. The invention processesdescribed herein for the development of one's limb-only base golf gripand swing and/or the fitting of golf clubs or any golf clubspecification value to one's base golf grip and/or swing through thedetermination and emulation of one's limb-only base golf grip and/orswing may also be fundamentally applied to the development of uncountedother activities besides golf, both sporting and non-sporting activitiesand/or the fitting of any equipment or equipment specification valueused in the performance of said activities.

Thus, it can be seen from the above descriptions, a method of forming alimb-only base golf grip and using the formed grip to form a limb-onlybase golf swing is disclosed that is absent any ill-fitting and/orinconsistent golf clubs that can negatively affect the movement,positioning, and/or consistency of said base golf grip and/or swing. Theformed base grip and swing are then used as consistent and accuratereferences of a golfer's true existing base grip and swing with which towork from toward base grip and/or swing improvement or change, and/or asconsistent and accurate references to emulate toward the fitting of golfequipment to a golfer's base grip and/or swing existing at the time ofthe equipment fitting. The present invention may be used to alsoeliminate and/or determine the effect(s) of other potentiallyill-fitting and/or inconsistent equipment that can affect a golfer'sperformance, not limited to wearing apparel of all types. An equipmentfitting process is disclosed that achieves a golfer's best true swingperformance by fitting the equipment directly to the golfer's limb-onlybase swing performance as the primary priority through best emulatingthe limb-only base swing through an adjustment(s) in said equipment. Asucceeding step may be implemented to further fit the equipmentaccording to golf ball travel results and/or any other desired golfingperformance attributes while maintaining the swing performancepreviously achieved. Disclosed is producing golf equipment to theequipment specification(s) determined through the equipment fittingprocess. While the present invention has been related in terms of theforegoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that theinvention is not limited to the embodiments depicted. The presentinvention can be practiced with modification and alteration within thespirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to beregarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of developing a golf swing and fitting agolf club to that swing, comprising: (a) determining a desired golfswing to emulate, said desired golf swing structured in a manner wherethe golf grip is formed using one of only the hands or a golf gripsubstitute; (b) comparing the desired golf swing with a golf swingintended to emulate the desired golf swing, said golf swing structuredin a manner where the golf grip is formed using one of only the hands ora golf grip substitute; (c) developing said golf swing until at leastone determined swing performance element of the desired golf swing issubstantially emulated, said golf swing as developed used as a referencebase golf swing to fit a golf club to; (d) comparing said reference basegolf swing to at least one test golf swing testing at least one value ofa determined golf club specification using at least one golf clubdevice, performing said reference base golf swing as needed; and (e)selecting the value of said determined golf club specification that whenused substantially emulates at least one determined swing performanceelement of the reference base golf swing.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the desired golf swing is determined through observing a videospecimen of said golf swing.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein aspecimen of the golf swing intended to emulate the desired golf swing isa video recording of the golf swing.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe comparing in step (b) comprises comparing at least one swingperformance element observed with the desired golf swing to acorresponding swing performance element observed with the golf swing. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein the comparing in step (b) comprisescomparing at least one swing performance element through an analysis ofrecorded video specimens of the desired golf swing and golf swing. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the golf swing is developed with the aidof a series of golf club devices having successive diameter reductionsto help become accustomed to forming a golf grip using only the hands.7. The method of claim 1, wherein the determined golf club specificationfit to the golf swing as developed is swingweight.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the determined golf club specification fit to the golfswing as developed is grip size.
 9. The method of claim 1, comprisingproducing a golf club using the selected value of said determined golfclub specification.
 10. A method of developing a golf swing, comprising:(a) determining a desired golf swing to emulate, said desired golf swingstructured in a manner where the golf grip is formed using one of onlythe hands or a golf grip substitute; (b) comparing the desired golfswing with a golf swing intended to emulate the desired golf swing, saidgolf swing structured in a manner where the golf grip is formed usingone of only the hands or a golf grip substitute; and (c) developing saidgolf swing until at least one determined swing performance element ofthe desired golf swing is substantially emulated.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the desired golf swing is determined throughdiscovering a publication specimen containing images of said golf swing.12. The method of claim 10, wherein a specimen of the golf swingintended to emulate the desired golf swing is a series of still imagesproduced that correspond to images of the determined desired golf swingdiscovered in a publication.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein thecomparing in step (b) comprises comparing at least one swing performanceelement observed with the desired golf swing to a corresponding swingperformance element observed with the golf swing.
 14. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the golf swing is developed with the aid of a seriesof golf club devices having successive diameter reductions to helpbecome accustomed to forming a golf grip using only the hands.
 15. Amethod of fitting a golf club to a base golf swing, comprising: (a)forming a golf grip using one of only the hands or a golf gripsubstitute; (b) performing a reference base golf swing using the formedgrip; (c) comparing said reference base golf swing to at least one testgolf swing testing at least one value of a determined golf clubspecification using at least one golf club device, performing saidreference base golf swing as needed; and (d) selecting the value of saiddetermined golf club specification that when used substantially emulatesat least one determined swing performance element of the reference basegolf swing.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the comparing in step(c) comprises comparing a swing feel experienced with the reference basegolf swing to a swing feel experienced with the at least one test golfswing.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the comparing in step (c)comprises comparing at least one swing performance element observed withthe reference base golf swing to a corresponding swing performanceelement observed with the at least one test golf swing.
 18. The methodof claim 15, wherein the comparing in step (c) comprises using a golfswing analysis device.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein thedetermined golf club specification is swingweight.
 20. The method ofclaim 15, comprising producing a golf club using the selected value ofsaid determined golf club specification.